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Rafah Reopening Pushed for Next Week as U.S. Envoys Press Israel

Israel has yet to approve the move due to security screening demands plus an unresolved hostage case.

Palestinians walk surrounded by the rubble of houses destroyed in Israeli strikes during the war, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, January 22, 2026. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed/File Photo
Palestinian Mohanad Eslem, 22, cuts firewood for sale in front of his shop on Salah al-Din Street near al-Bureij camp, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
People stand at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, August 11, 2025. REUTERS/Alexander Dziadosz
EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Yusuf Zawara mourns over the body of his son, Mohammad Zawara, 15, who was killed along with his cousin Sulaiman Zawara, 13, left, in an Israeli strike, according to health officials, at Shifa Hospital, Gaza City, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Yousef Al Zanoun)

Overview

  • Palestinian committee head Ali Shaath said the Gaza–Egypt crossing will open in both directions next week, though Israel has not confirmed.
  • Three sources told Reuters that Israel seeks to limit entries so more Palestinians leave than enter and wants a new checkpoint inside Gaza for security screening.
  • U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to urge progress into phase two of the ceasefire, which includes reopening Rafah.
  • Egypt’s foreign minister Bader Abdelatty pressed for an immediate opening in a call with Nickolay Mladenov, discussing second‑phase steps including international monitoring and Israeli pullbacks.
  • Plans under discussion would staff the crossing with PA‑affiliated personnel and EU observers, while Israel’s cabinet is expected to weigh the reopening alongside the case of the last hostage’s remains, Ran Gvili.