Israel says it has reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing and that aid trucks from Egypt are already undergoing inspections ahead of their arrival in Gaza.
The reopening will allow humanitarian aid to enter the Palestinian enclave, the IDF said in a statement.
Concerns were raised by the UN and other humanitarian organisations yesterday that aid into Gaza could all but stop after Israel took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.
The Kerem Shalom crossing had also been closed due to Hamas rocket fire near the area.
Israel also confirmed the Erez Crossing is continuing to allow aid through.
Explained: What is happening in Rafah?
Fears are growing of a full-scale Israeli assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
On Monday, Israel issued orders for the evacuation of 100,000 people from part of the city.
That evening it said it was conducting targeted strikes against Hamas in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering.
Israel yesterday used a tank brigade to capture the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, saying the area was being used for terrorist activities.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s military operation in Rafah served the twin goals of returning Israeli hostages and eliminating Hamas.
Meanwhile Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, said the IDF operations in Rafah would “continue and expand as necessary”.
With the Rafah crossing closed off, the UN warned of a potential collapse of the flow of aid to Palestinians.
Rafah and the other main crossing into Gaza, Kerem Shalom, were closed for at least two days – although the latter has since reopened.
They are critical entry points for food, medicine and other supplies.
Meanwhile, the fighting forced the evacuation of the Abu Youssef al Najjar Hospital, one of the main medical centres receiving people wounded in airstrikes on Rafah.
At least 27 people, including six women and nine children, have been killed in Rafah since Monday evening, according to CNN.
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