Cairo — Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened Monday to limited traffic, a key step as Cease fire between Israel and Hamas is moving forward, according to Egyptian and Israeli security officials.

An Egyptian official said 50 Palestinians would cross in each direction on the crossing’s first day of operation. The official, involved in talks related to the implementation of the cease-fire agreement, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.

Egyptian state media and an Israeli official also confirmed the reopening, which is largely symbolic, at least for now. A few people will be allowed to travel in both directions, and no goods will be allowed to enter.

About 20,000 Palestinian children and adults in need of medical care are hoping to leave devastated Gaza through the crossing, according to Gaza health officials. Thousands of other Palestinians outside the territory hope to enter and return home.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said Israel would allow 50 patients a day to leave. An official involved in the discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss diplomatic negotiations, said each patient would be allowed to travel with two relatives, while about 50 people who left Gaza during the war would be allowed to return each day.

Israel said that, and Egypt will check people for exit and entry through the crossing, which will be monitored by European Union border patrol agents and a small Palestinian presence. Passenger numbers are expected to increase over time if the system is successful.

Israeli troops seized the Rafah crossing in May 2024, calling it part of an effort to combat Hamas arms smuggling. The crossing was briefly opened to evacuate medical patients during a ceasefire in early 2025. Israel has resisted reopening the Rafah crossing, but the recovery of the remains of the last hostage in Gaza last week cleared the way forward.

Reopening is a a key step like last year’s US-brokered ceasefire agreement which entered into force on October 10, is moving into the second phase.

Before the war, Rafah was the main crossing point for people going in and out of Gaza. It shares a handful of other crossings in that territory with Israel. Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Israeli army controls the area between the Rafah crossing and the zone where most Palestinians live.

Fearing that Israel could use the crossing to push Palestinians out of the enclave, Egypt has repeatedly said it must be open for them to enter and leave Gaza. Historically, Israel and Egypt have vetted Palestinians who applied to cross.

The current ceasefire halted more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas that began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The first phase of the truce called for the exchange of all hostages held in Gaza for hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel, an increase in much-needed humanitarian aid and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops.

The second stage is more complicated. It calls for the establishment of a new Palestinian committee to govern Gaza, the deployment of international security forces, the disarmament of Hamas and steps to begin reconstruction.

An official from the United Nations children’s agency said last week that there is remaining stocks in Egypt ready to head to Gaza whenever the crossing opens to help traffic.

“We have stockpiled,” said Ted Chaiban, UNICEF’s deputy executive director. “We have our great staff working well on the ground. We have plans that can be activated immediately if access is granted.”

The next phase should include bringing in not only more humanitarian and commercial supplies, but also durable materials and items for shelters to repair infrastructure, he added.