At a Davos event, Palestinian technocrat Ali Shaath announced that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt will reopen next week, restoring travel in both directions after prolonged closure during the Israel-Hamas war. The announcement coincided with the formal launch of the Board Of Peace, an initiative focused on cementing the October ceasefire. Israel, which has controlled the crossing since 2024, had no immediate comment. The reopening aims to ease Gaza's isolation and restore a critical humanitarian lifeline.
Rafah Crossing With Egypt Set To Reopen Next Week, Palestinian Official Says
Trucks carrying humanitarian aid enter the crossing into the Gaza Strip at the Rafah border on the Egypt side, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Rafah, Egypt, October 17, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
DAVOS, Jan 22 (Reuters) — The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will reopen next week after being largely closed during the Israel-Hamas war, Palestinian technocratic leader Ali Shaath said by video link on Thursday.
Shaath, the U.S.-backed administrator tasked with managing the enclave, delivered the announcement during a Davos event hosted by President Donald Trump, where leaders formally launched the Board Of Peace aimed initially at cementing the October ceasefire.
“I am pleased to announce the Rafah crossing will open next week in both directions. For Palestinians in Gaza, Rafah is more than a gate. It is a lifeline and symbol of opportunity,” Shaath said.
He added that reopening the crossing would signal Gaza is not closed off from the future. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which has controlled the Rafah crossing since 2024. Under the October ceasefire agreement, Israel retains control of more than half of Gaza, including territory adjacent to the border crossing, while Hamas controls the remainder of the enclave.
The move is expected to ease Gaza's isolation and allow the movement of people and goods in both directions for the first time since the early stages of the conflict. The newly launched Board Of Peace seeks to reinforce the truce and address the enclave's humanitarian and logistical challenges.
(Reporting by Steven Holland, Rami Ayyub and Nayera Abdallah; Editing by Alison Williams)
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