Israel: Rafah Crossing Opening Date for Gaza to Be Set Later
Israel has announced that the date for reopening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt will be announced later, after necessary preparations are completed with Egyptian authorities. The Israeli defense ministry body COGAT stated that the crossing will only be open for the movement of people and will not be used for humanitarian aid. It emphasized that aid continues to enter Gaza through other designated crossings. The Rafah crossing is a vital gateway for Gaza's connection to the outside world. International organizations have stockpiled aid on the Egyptian side, awaiting permission to transport it into the devastated territory. The European Union has stated it is ready to restart its monitoring mission at the crossing to support the US-brokered ceasefire agreement.