Preparations have begun for reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing, officials say

Israel says residents will be allowed to cross on foot only, with a reported 20,000 Palestinians waiting to leave for medical care

Preparations to reopen Gaza's main border crossing into Rafah have begun, though it is uncertain if any Palestinians will pass through it before the day's end, officials have said.

Before the war, the Rafah crossing with Egypt was the only direct exit point for most Palestinians in Gaza to reach the outside world as well as a key entry point for aid. It has been largely shut since May 2024.