Gaza’s main border crossing with Egypt is set to reopen next week, easing restrictions that have largely isolated the enclave during the Israel-Hamas conflict, Palestinian official Ali Shaath announced on Thursday. The announcement came via video link at an event in Davos hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, who convened a group of global leaders to formally launch his “Board of Peace,” initially focused on reinforcing Gaza’s ceasefire.
Shaath, a Palestinian technocrat backed by Washington to administer Gaza, described the reopening as a critical step for the enclave. “I am pleased to announce the Rafah crossing will open next week in both directions. For Palestinians in Gaza, Rafah is more than a gate. It is a lifeline and symbol of opportunity,” he said. He added that reopening the crossing signals that Gaza is “no longer closed to the future and to the war.”
The Rafah crossing has remained largely shut since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, severely limiting the movement of people, humanitarian aid, and fuel. Israel has maintained control over more than half of Gaza, including the area adjacent to the crossing, while Hamas governs the remainder of the territory. At the time of Shaath’s statement, no immediate comment was made by Israeli authorities regarding the reopening.
The reopening of Rafah represents a significant milestone in the fragile ceasefire brokered in October 2025, offering hope for relief and movement for Gaza’s population while providing an opportunity to sustain peace efforts in the region.
Source: Reuters
