Israel is reportedly planning to restrict the number of Palestinians entering Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to ensure more people leave the enclave than return, as officials prepare to reopen the crossing next week, Reuters reported.
Ali Shaath, head of a US-backed transitional Palestinian committee tasked with temporarily administering Gaza, announced on Thursday that the Rafah Border Crossing would reopen next week. Rafah serves as the only effective route in or out of Gaza for the majority of the two million people living there.
The crossing was originally due to open during the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war, following an October ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. But that opening never took place.
Earlier this month, Washington said the plan had entered its second phase. Under that stage, Israel is expected to further withdraw its troops from Gaza, while Hamas is expected to relinquish control of the territory’s administration. Israeli forces have controlled the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing since 2024.
Reuters’ sources said Israeli officials had not yet clarified how they would enforce limits on Palestinians entering from Egypt or what balance between departures and arrivals they intended to impose.