Israel Reopens Rafah Border Crossing, Offering Limited Relief to Palestinians

Tue Feb 03 2026 19:30:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Following months of closure, Israel has reinstated operations at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. However, the movement of people remains significantly restricted, leaving many in Gaza in urgent need of aid.

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has reopened, allowing limited movement for sick and wounded Palestinians seeking medical treatment. The crossing had been largely shut since Israeli forces took control in 2024. While the reopening offers a glimmer of hope, the restrictions on the number of individuals permitted to cross highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Reports indicate frustration among Palestinians as only a small fraction of those in need have been allowed to exit.

Only a few sick and wounded Palestinians from Gaza arrived in Egypt on Monday after the Rafah border crossing reopened for the movement of people.

The crossing has largely been closed since the Gazan side was captured by Israeli forces in May 2024.

The reopening was supposed to happen during the first phase of US President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas, which began in October. But Israel blocked it until the return of the body of the last Israeli hostage, which happened last week.

It will come as a relief to many Palestinians who see it as a lifeline to the world, although there is frustration that only small numbers of people and no goods will be allowed through.

Around 20,000 sick and wounded Palestinians are waiting to leave Gaza for treatment, according to local hospitals and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Israeli reports said only 50 patients, accompanied by one or two relatives, would be allowed to exit each day, and 50 people who left Gaza during the war would be allowed to return. However, only five patients and their seven companions crossed from Gaza on Monday.

Another 12 Palestinians were allowed to return to Gaza, while 38 did not clear security and had to spend the night on the Egyptian side of the crossing, Palestinian and Egyptian sources said.

Palestinian officials blamed the delays on Israeli security checks, but there was no immediate comment from Israel's military.

The crossing will be run by supervisors from the European Union Border Assistance Mission and local Palestinian staff, while Israel will carry out stringent security checks remotely.

As the crossing opened, a Palestinian mother, Sabrine al-Da'ma, expressed her hope to travel abroad with her 16-year-old daughter, Rawa, suffering from kidney disease, for a life-saving kidney transplant. Another individual, Maha Ali, lamented her lost educational opportunities during the blockade.

International officials, including the EU's foreign policy chief, hailed the reopening as a positive step but emphasized the need for more comprehensive humanitarian actions in Gaza.