Israel to Reopen Gaza’s Rafah Crossing Under Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan

Israel has announced that it will reopen Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt for pedestrian movement, but only after completing a military operation to recover the body of the last Israeli hostage believed to be in the enclave. The decision forms a key component of a broader United States-backed peace initiative, commonly referred to as President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, aimed at gradually de-escalating the conflict and restructuring governance in Gaza.

According to a statement released late Sunday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, Israel will permit movement through the Rafah crossing once the operation to locate the final hostage is concluded. The crossing, which serves as Gaza’s primary gateway to the outside world for civilians, has remained largely shut amid ongoing security concerns.

Under the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas in October, the Rafah crossing was originally slated to reopen during the first phase of the US-led peace plan. However, Israeli authorities made the reopening conditional on the return of all living hostages held by Palestinian militant groups, as well as what Israel described as a “100% effort” by Hamas to locate and return the bodies of all deceased hostages.

Israeli officials have confirmed that the remains of all hostages have been returned except for one — police officer Master Sergeant Ran Gvili. An Israeli military official stated that there are “several intelligence leads” regarding his possible location.

On Sunday, the Israeli military announced that it had launched a “targeted operation” in northern Gaza aimed specifically at recovering Gvili’s remains.

“The Israeli military is currently conducting a focused operation to exhaust all the intelligence gathered in the effort to locate and return the fallen hostage, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, of blessed memory,” Netanyahu’s office said in its statement.

The statement added that once the operation concludes, “Israel will open the Rafah Crossing,” signaling a significant, though limited, easing of restrictions.

Rafah crossing: Gaza’s critical lifeline

Ali Shaath, head of a US-backed transitional Palestinian committee set up to temporarily administer Gaza, said on Thursday that the Rafah crossing is expected to open later this week. For the more than two million residents of Gaza, Rafah is effectively the only route in or out of the territory not directly controlled by Israel.

The Israeli military has maintained control over the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing since 2024, following expanded operations along the southern border.

Netanyahu’s office clarified that the reopening would be limited in scope. “As part of President Trump’s 20-point plan, Israel has agreed to a restricted reopening of the Rafah Crossing for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism,” the statement said.

Trump’s peace plan enters second phase

Washington announced earlier this month that the peace initiative has progressed to its second phase. This stage envisions Hamas relinquishing control over Gaza’s civilian administration, while Israel gradually withdraws additional troops from the territory.

According to sources cited by Reuters last week, Israel plans to strictly regulate movement through the Rafah crossing, allowing more Palestinians to leave Gaza than to enter. The policy is reportedly aimed at easing humanitarian pressure inside the enclave while maintaining Israeli security oversight.

The reopening of Rafah, even on a limited basis, is being closely watched by regional and international stakeholders, as it could mark a rare step toward easing Gaza’s isolation amid ongoing diplomatic and military developments under the US-sponsored framework.