Overview
- On the first official day, only about 12 people crossed in each direction, according to AFP and Gaza's interior ministry.
- The step is part of a US-backed Gaza plan, with Israel having tied the reopening to the return of the last hostage's remains, Ran Gvili.
- Priority is given to patients and a small number of returnees, with reported daily caps ranging from 50 exits plus companions to up to 150, while aid shipments are not routed through Rafah.
- Egypt provides daily name lists for Israeli intelligence vetting, the EU's EUBAM mission is on site, and Palestinian Authority officials handle passport stamping.
- Israel has controlled the Gaza side since May 2024, roughly 20,000 patients are seeking treatment abroad, and the tightly constrained operation proceeds under a fragile truce.