Gaza-Egypt Border Opens Sunday After 9 Months Closed

Thousands of Palestinians will soon reunite with loved ones as the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopens this Sunday for the first time in nine months.

Israel announced Thursday that the crossing will allow limited pedestrian movement in both directions. Gazans who left during the war will be able to return home after security screening by Israeli and European Union officials.

The crossing has been closed to regular travel since May 2024, when Israeli forces took control of the area. Only a small number of medical evacuations happened during a brief ceasefire in early 2025.

The reopening comes as part of President Trump's 20-point peace plan for the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the limited reopening Sunday, with specific conditions in place for screening and identification.

Residents returning from Egypt will need prior security clearance from Israel. The process includes initial screening at the crossing by European Union monitors, followed by additional checks in an area controlled by Israeli defense forces.

The decision follows the return of the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza. Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili's remains were recovered and returned home Monday after 842 days, fulfilling a key condition Israel set for reopening the border.

The Ripple Effect

This reopening means more than just an open gate. For families split between Gaza and Egypt, it's the first chance in months to embrace relatives, check on elderly parents, or bring children back home.

The crossing also signals growing cooperation between Israel, Egypt, and Palestinian authorities under international oversight. That kind of coordination often leads to more humanitarian access and stability for civilians caught in conflict zones.

While movement remains limited and security procedures are strict, the reopening shows that diplomatic progress is possible even in deeply challenging situations. Each small step toward normal life matters enormously to the people who've been waiting.

For thousands of Gazans, Sunday represents something they haven't had in nearly a year: the ability to go home.