Jerusalem
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Israel authorized the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Monday morning after nearly two years of closure, according to an Israeli security official, allowing a small number of Palestinians to leave the war-torn enclave and even fewer to return.
The European Union is operating the crossing as the final step of the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement in the enclave that went into effect in mid-October.
The crucial crossing, which has been largely closed since Israel seized it in May 2024, underwent a series of preparations on Sunday from the European Union, Egypt and other parties that will be involved in running the…