The Israeli army withdrew from the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Friday as part of a ceasefire agreement that took effect on 19 January.
According to Israeli Army Radio, control of the crossing was handed over to an international force from the European Union (EU) in preparation for reopening. The Israeli military has since redeployed its forces along the Gaza-Egypt border.
A security source quoted by the broadcaster stated that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will oversee the Palestinian side of the crossing, with its role limited to stamping existing permits for Gaza residents.
Under the new arrangement, 50 wounded Palestinians will be permitted to leave Gaza daily, accompanied by up to three escorts each, bringing the total to 200 people per day. The list of those traveling will be reviewed by Israel’s Shin Bet security agency and require Egyptian approval.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the EU’s civilian border mission had resumed operations at Rafah “at the request of the Palestinians and the Israelis.”
The Palestinian Health Ministry also announced that the crossing would reopen on Saturday for the first group of wounded individuals to leave for medical treatment, in coordination with the World Health Organization.
Rafah, a critical humanitarian entry point into Gaza, had been closed since May 2024 following Israel’s military offensive in the southern city.
The ceasefire agreement, mediated by Egypt and Qatar with US backing, includes a 42-day initial period, during which negotiations continue on further phases of the deal, including a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel.