In a significant development following a mediation effort involving Qatar and the United States, Egypt is preparing to reopen the Rafah border crossing, which connects to the Gaza Strip. This crossing, which has been closed since May when the Israeli army occupied its Palestinian side, is expected to play a crucial role in the initial phase of a recently announced ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The reopening is anticipated to facilitate the transit of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a commitment made by Israel as part of the ceasefire terms, and will also serve as a point for the potential release of hostages held by Hamas. The Rafah crossing is set to reactivate when the ceasefire agreement comes into effect, likely on Sunday. Egyptian security sources have indicated that efforts are underway to ensure a substantial flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza from the outset. According to Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the immediate priorities include food, fuel, and medical supplies to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. Reports suggest that Israel may allow up to 600 aid trucks per day to enter Gaza from both Israel and Egypt. Previously, the Rafah crossing was the only Gaza border point not directly controlled by Israel, proving vital during the initial months of the conflict that erupted in late 2023. During that period, it was the sole entry for essential supplies to the region, despite not being a commercial crossing. However, since January 2024, most aid has been funneled through crossings controlled by Israel, which has fully managed humanitarian and commercial flows into the Palestinian enclave since the Rafah occupation. Since September, the volume of essential supplies entering Gaza has plummeted to the lowest levels since the conflict began, largely due to restrictions imposed by Israel and the chaos stemming from its military offensive. Although the number of humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza in November and December saw a slight uptick, January's figures have dropped to just 614, a number that could be matched in a single day once Rafah reopens. In addition to humanitarian aid, the agreement between Hamas and Israel includes provisions for the opening of Rafah to facilitate the release of hostages, particularly those deemed most vulnerable, such as children, women, and the elderly. During a previous ceasefire in November 2023, Hamas released around one hundred hostages at the Rafah crossing, which were subsequently handed over to Egyptian authorities. Furthermore, Rafah is expected to serve as an exit point for Palestinian civilians requiring urgent medical treatment outside Gaza, where the healthcare system has been severely compromised due to ongoing military operations. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 5,000 Gazans needing medical assistance have been evacuated since the war's onset, most of whom were transported via Rafah before its occupation by Israel. Many individuals remain in need of evacuation. As preparations for the reopening of Rafah continue, negotiations regarding the future control of the narrow demilitarized corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphia Corridor or Saladin Corridor, have gained importance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously disrupted negotiations by insisting on retaining control over this corridor, claiming it had been used by Hamas for smuggling weapons and personnel--a claim that remains unsubstantiated and denied by Egypt. The status of this corridor is governed by the 1979 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, and its management carries significant implications for regional security, the blockade on Gaza, and Egypt's role in the Palestinian issue. Thus, it has become a key element in any potential agreement. Ongoing discussions surrounding this topic, which also involve the United States, have progressed alongside the broader ceasefire and hostage exchange negotiations taking place in Doha. As outlined in the agreement announced this week, the Israeli military is expected to gradually decrease its presence in the Philadelphia Corridor during the initial phase of the agreement. It is stipulated that a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces will occur only after the last hostage included in the first phase is released, with the entire process projected to span 42 days. Late on Friday, Egyptian sources reported the establishment of a unit in Cairo tasked with monitoring and coordinating the implementation of the agreement, comprising representatives from Egypt, Qatar, the United States, Palestine, and Israel. Additionally, Egypt anticipates receiving a delegation from the European Union in the coming days to discuss the potential return of civilian observers to the Rafah crossing, aimed at assisting with its management, contingent upon approval from both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, similar to a previous EU operation prior to Hamas's assumption of power in 2007. Looking ahead, despite the inherent fragility of the ceasefire agreement and uncertainties surrounding its adherence, Egypt's foreign ministry has called on the international community to extend support beyond immediate humanitarian efforts in Gaza to include plans for future reconstruction. Egypt has expressed its willingness to host a conference aimed at facilitating this process, hoping that its companies will once again benefit from it.