Rafah Crossing will reopen on Sunday for traffic in both directions, limited to people only, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced on Friday.
Entrance and exit through the crossing will be allowed only through coordination first with Egypt, Army Radio explained on Wednesday. Egypt will then transfer names to the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for approval.
Those leaving the Gaza Strip will undergo a security screening by European Union and Palestinian Authority representatives, while Israeli forces oversee the process from a distance. Israeli security will use facial recognition to ensure that only approved individuals pass through the crossing, and will have the ability to seal or open the crossing if needed.
Entrance to Gaza will consist of more thorough screening by Israeli forces, including the use of facial recognition technology and X-ray machines.
Return to Gaza of civilians from Egypt will be allowed only for those who exited Gaza during the course of the war, and only with advanced Israeli approval.
Rafah Crossing reopening expected to lead to Hamas disarmament talks
Discussions over disarming Hamas are expected to begin after the reopening of the crossing, two sources familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post.
According to the sources, a Palestinian technocratic administration in Gaza is slated to lead negotiations with Hamas regarding disarmament. “The idea is that Palestinians will negotiate with Palestinians,” one of the sources said.
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.