TEL AVIV (TRT World) – Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Thursday that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is expected to reopen on Sunday, according to Yedioth Ahronoth. Saar stated that preparations are underway to facilitate the reopening, though he provided no further details.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty revealed earlier that day that Cairo is in talks with Israel to open the crossing, aiming to “flood Gaza with food and relief materials” due to the enclave’s “catastrophic” humanitarian situation. He emphasized that the crossing remains open 24/7 from Egypt’s side.
The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s sole connection to the outside world not controlled by Israel before the war began in October 2023, remained closed on the Palestinian side on Thursday, despite a planned reopening on Wednesday under the first phase of a ceasefire agreement. Since May 2024, the Israeli military has restricted Palestinian movement through the crossing.
Israeli media reports suggest that Tel Aviv is conditioning the reopening on the return of the remains of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas has released 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of 10 others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. On Wednesday, Hamas stated it is making significant efforts to locate the remains of additional hostages.
The ceasefire, brokered last week based on a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, includes the release of hostages in exchange for prisoners, alongside plans for Gaza’s reconstruction and the establishment of a new governing framework. Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have resulted in nearly 68,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children, leaving Gaza largely uninhabitable.
