Gaza’s Rafah Border Crossing Reopens Monday After Months of Closure | Latest Update 18 Oct 2025

Gaza’s Rafah Border Crossing to Reopen on Monday After Months of Closure

The Palestinian Embassy in Cairo has announced that the vital Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt will reopen on Monday, marking the first time in months that Palestinians stranded abroad will be able to return home. The move follows weeks of diplomatic coordination among Palestinian, Egyptian, and Qatari officials aimed at easing Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis.

The Rafah crossing has remained largely closed since May 2024, when Israeli forces seized control of southern Gaza during intensified military operations. The closure trapped thousands of Palestinians in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, cutting off families and severely limiting humanitarian supplies.

The Palestinian Embassy confirmed that the border will reopen gradually, initially allowing citizens stranded in Egypt to return to Gaza. Egyptian officials said humanitarian shipments will follow in later stages once security clearances are completed. It remains unclear, however, when commercial goods and full aid deliveries will resume.

Background and Significance

Rafah is Gaza’s only international border not controlled by Israel. Its prolonged closure has devastated the enclave’s economy, blocked medical travel, and deepened Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation.
Although partial reopening attempts were made earlier in 2025, ongoing security tensions prevented a sustained reopening.

According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Gaza currently receives only about 560 tons of food per day, far below the amount required to meet its population’s needs. Most aid passes through Israel’s Kerem Shalom Crossing, where strict inspections and lengthy permit procedures continue to cause severe delays.

The reopening of Rafah is expected to increase the inflow of essential supplies, including medicine, food, and relief materials. Humanitarian agencies remain cautiously optimistic but stress that sustained and unrestricted access is crucial to meaningfully ease Gaza’s suffering.

A Ray of Hope

For Gaza’s residents, Rafah’s reopening represents more than a logistical change — it’s a symbol of reconnection and relief after months of isolation. Families separated by the closure can finally reunite, and aid groups can restore critical humanitarian corridors.

Regional analysts note that Egypt’s cooperation with both the Palestinian Authority and international mediators has been key to this breakthrough. Still, challenges persist: the truce between Israel and Palestinian factions remains fragile, and mistrust among regional players continues to complicate long-term stability.

If this reopening endures, it could mark a turning point in Gaza’s recovery — easing one of the most prolonged humanitarian blockades in recent history. The world now watches to see whether this long-awaited move will bring lasting relief or only a temporary reprieve in Gaza’s ongoing struggle.