The crossing, situated on the southern border with Egypt, is the only entry and exit route for Gaza that does not pass through Israel. GAZA CITY: Palestinian group Hamas called on Friday (Jan 30) for Israel to immediately reopen Gaza's Rafah crossing to Egypt, a measure Israel has previously agreed to without setting a timeframe. In a statement, the group called for the "immediate transition to the second phase" of the US-brokered truce in Gaza, namely its provision for the reopening of Rafah