• Israel plans to reopen the Rafah crossing on Sunday.
• The crossing will allow limited movement of individuals, particularly medical evacuees.
• This reopening follows a nearly two-year closure due to security concerns.
• The move is part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.
• Humanitarian organizations emphasize the need for aid access in Gaza.

Israel announced on January 30 that it will reopen the Rafah border crossing to Egypt in both directions starting Sunday, marking the first opening of the sole exit point from Gaza since May 2024. The decision allows for "limited movement of people only," in accordance with the humanitarian needs arising from the ongoing conflict and in context with the ceasefire agreement, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

This reopening follows the recovery of the last Israeli hostage's remains, which allowed the Israeli government to consider the crossing's resumption. The announcement was made by COGAT, the Israeli body overseeing civilian matters, indicating that individuals wishing to cross will be vetted by both Israeli and Egyptian authorities, and supervision will be provided by European Union agents, as reported by Anadolu Agency and Reuters.

The Rafah border crossing is crucial for the movement of aid and people in and out of Gaza, where humanitarian needs have escalated amid continued conflict. Reports indicate that around 20,000 Palestinians are waiting to receive medical treatment outside of Gaza, highlighting the pressing health crisis resulting from the war, as noted by the International Committee of the Red Cross and further detailed by South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

While humanitarian organizations are calling for broader access to aid through the crossing, the initial plan allows entry and exit for a limited number of cases, primarily prioritizing medical emergencies. Both COGAT and Israeli officials have stated agreement with this cautious approach, indicating that the focus remains on security amidst ongoing discussions about the crossing's logistics and future use, according to Channel News Asia, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.