HAMAS has announced that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is expected to reopen in both directions next week, following the implementation of a ceasefire with Israel.
The announcement came after mediators informed the group of the planned reopening to facilitate the movement of people in and out of the enclave, although specific operational details remain unclear.
Bernama-Xinhua reported today that a Hamas source told the group’s Al-Aqsa TV that humanitarian aid and essential supplies, including fuel and gas, would begin entering Gaza freely from Saturday.
Discussions are ongoing to restore electricity in the densely populated territory, home to over two million people.
The ceasefire, confirmed by the Israeli military at noon on Friday, marks a pause in hostilities after days of negotiations in Egypt.
Israeli forces have redeployed according to the terms of the truce and hostage-release agreement, with troops remaining on alert to respond to immediate threats in southern Israel.
Following the ceasefire, approximately 200,000 displaced Palestinians have started returning to northern Gaza as Israeli troops withdrew from several areas. Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for the Hamas-run Civil Defence Agency, reported that humanitarian teams are assisting families and reopening main roads.
Eyewitnesses described heavy movement along key routes such as Al-Rashid and Salah al-Din roads, with thousands making their way home.
The agreement includes a prisoner exchange and plans to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel is set to halt fighting and partially withdraw from the Gaza Strip, while Hamas will release all remaining hostages in return for the release of about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Two years of Israeli military operations have devastated much of Gaza, resulting in over 67,000 deaths and severe shortages of food and basic supplies, according to Gaza health authorities. - October 11, 2025
