Israel safeguards borders, vets entrants strictly, blocks exploitation, restoring order despite regional pressure and chaos.
Israel confirmed that the Rafah Crossing will reopen on Sunday, February 1, for limited pedestrian traffic in both directions, under a tightly controlled security framework.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, all movement through the crossing will occur only in coordination with Egypt, and only after prior Israeli security approval. Oversight will be provided by a European Union delegation—mirroring the mechanism implemented in January 2025.
Israeli authorities clarified that return from Egypt into the Gaza Strip will be permitted exclusively for residents who left during the war, following comprehensive vetting. Initial identification and screening will take place at the Rafah Crossing under EU supervision, followed by additional security checks at an IDF-controlled checkpoint.
The policy underscores Israel’s position: humanitarian access will not come at the expense of national security. Strict screening prevents terror exploitation, reinforces sovereignty, and ensures that regional instability and past abuses do not dictate Israel’s border policy.
