Overview
- U.S. officials say they expect Israel to allow both entry and exit at Rafah in the coming days following meetings between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Israeli outlets Channel 12 and Kan 11 report that a two-way reopening is planned once Netanyahu returns from Washington.
- Neither the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office nor Egyptian authorities has confirmed a timeline, and reports describe resistance from far-right ministers within Israel’s cabinet.
- Egypt previously rejected Israel’s exit-only condition, keeping Rafah largely closed and deepening humanitarian and mobility constraints for Gaza residents.
- Reopening would align with the October ceasefire framework and the Trump administration’s 20-point plan, after Israel took control of the Palestinian side of the crossing in May 2024.