Israel said it would only allow pedestrians to travel through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt as part of its ‘limited reopening’.
Reopening Rafah, a vital entry point for aid into Gaza, forms part of a truce framework announced by US President Donald Trump in October.
But the crossing has remained closed since Israeli forces took control of it during the war in the Palestinian territory.
The hope of its reopening came after Israel recovered the remains of the last hostage in the Palestinian territory yesterday.
Visiting US envoys had reportedly pressed Israeli officials to reopen the crossing during talks in Jerusalem.
World leaders and aid agencies have repeatedly pushed for more humanitarian convoys to be able to access Gaza, which has been left devastated by more than two years of Israel’s war and depends on the inflow of essential medical equipment, food and other supplies.
It remained unclear whether the reopening would allow medical patients to leave Gaza for treatment.