JERUSALEM: The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is set to reopen on Saturday following the latest exchange of hostages and prisoners as part of a truce agreement, according to a Hamas official and a source familiar with the discussions.
“Mediators have informed Hamas that Israel has agreed to reopen the Rafah crossing on Saturday after the completion of the fourth round of prisoner exchanges,” the Hamas official stated.
A separate source clarified that injured Palestinians would be transported out of Gaza via the crossing, in accordance with the ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
The Rafah crossing serves as a key entry point into Gaza and a crucial channel for humanitarian aid. However, it has remained closed since Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side in May of last year.
On Friday, the European Unionβs foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, announced that the 27-member bloc had deployed a monitoring mission at the Rafah crossing at the request of both Palestinian and Israeli authorities.
“This mission will assist Palestinian border personnel and facilitate the movement of individuals out of Gaza, including those in need of medical treatment,” Kallas stated on X.
