Rafah crossing set to reopen after nearly a year, Israeli officials say

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt prepared to open on Sunday after nearly a year of closures, Israeli officials said. The move would allow Palestinians to leave for medical care or return to homes and families in the territory. Israeli officials said the crossing, near the southern city of Rafah, had opened to check systems and was expected to be fully operational by Monday.

The passage was seized by Israeli soldiers in May 2024 and has been mostly closed since, apart from a brief reopening during a temporary cease-fire last winter. A long-term cease-fire in October called for the crossing to open, but Israel delayed the move until the repatriation of the remains of the last hostage from the Oct.

7, 2023 attack, which occurred on Monday, officials said. At least initially, the border will be open only to individuals entering and exiting Gaza and will not be used to bring in supplies, Israeli officials said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to "a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing for pedestrian passage only" and suggested about "50-plus" people would be allowed to come from Egypt daily.

More people were expected to be allowed to leave than to enter, and daily departures would be limited; Mr.

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