The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza is expected to reopen in both directions on Wednesday, media reports suggest, barring any last-minute obstructions from Israel.
The move comes amid renewed American declarations of regional “peace and prosperity”, following the return of all Israeli captives—living and dead—from Palestinian resistance factions.
According to a report by Sky News Arabia, an unnamed Palestinian source said that a European monitoring force has been stationed in Al-Arish for several days and is preparing to enter the crossing to coordinate entry and exit procedures. On Tuesday, the team was joined by Palestinian staff on the Gaza side in preparation for a preliminary reopening on Wednesday.
A separate Egyptian source, cited by Al Arabiya, confirmed that Israel will receive a daily list of names of travelers from the Egyptian side for approval by its internal security agency, Shin Bet.
The same source added that Egyptian negotiators, working in collaboration with US and other mediators, had reached an agreement to allow 1,000 trucks per day to enter Gaza via all Palestinian border points, Karm Abu Salem, Al-Awja, and Nitzana.
“Efforts are currently underway to secure guarantees that trucks will reach their destinations inside Gaza following entry through Egyptian territory, to ensure delivery of aid to the Palestinian population,” the source said.
On Monday, Israel said it had agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing, contingent on the retrieval of the body of Israeli officer Ran Gvili—the last prisoner of war held in Gaza. His remains were recovered later that day following intelligence provided by Hamas to Egyptian mediators.
Washington is exerting pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reopen Rafah in accordance with the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and US President Donald Trump’s much-touted Middle East “peace plan.” Last Thursday, Ali Shaath, head of the Palestinian technocratic committee, said the crossing would reopen the following week.
US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on Tuesday framed the recovery of Israeli remains as a breakthrough. “Now, ALL 20 living hostages and all 28 deceased hostages in Gaza have now been returned to their families,” he wrote on X. “A monumental, historic feat that few thought was possible,” he added.
“It is a new day in the Middle East," Witkoff proclaimed, reaffirming US commitment to what he termed “lasting peace and prosperity for all in the region.”
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Hamas is seeking to integrate its 10,000-strong police force into the technocratic administration now governing Gaza, under the supervision of the newly formed 'Board of Peace' established by the Trump administration.
However, the move is being resisted by Israel, which continues to demand the disarmament of Palestinian resistance factions.
On Friday, Israel’s public broadcaster announced that the occupation government would establish an additional inspection point on the Palestinian side of Rafah crossing, dubbed “Rafah 2.” The post will be operated by Shin Bet, which will process EU-submitted passenger lists via facial recognition and ID verification, without a direct physical presence at the crossing.
