After two years of war/ Gaza's Rafah crossing reopens on a limited basis

2026-02-02 15:19:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The key border crossing at Rafah in Gaza reopened to Palestinians on Monday, an Israeli security official said, but state-affiliated Egyptian media reported that only 50 people would be allowed to cross in each direction in the first few days.

The resumption of operations comes after Israeli forces took control of this gateway to Egypt in May 2024, during the war with Hamas, declared a terrorist organization by the US.

A partial resumption of operations began on Sunday, in a very limited phase that did not involve the movement of people, after months of calls from aid groups.

"As of this moment, and following the arrival of EUBAM teams on behalf of the European Union, the Rafah crossing point is now open for the movement of residents, both for entry and exit," the Israeli official said, referring to the European border assistance mission.

State-affiliated Egyptian media reported that 50 people were expected to cross in each direction in the first days of the reopening.

AlQahera News, affiliated with state intelligence, reported citing an unnamed source that "fifty people will leave Egypt for Gaza and fifty people will come from Gaza," in the first days of the operation.

A source at the border told AFP that several dozen people arrived on the Egyptian side on Monday awaiting entry into Gaza.

However, Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported that around 150 people were expected to leave Gaza for Egypt on Monday, including 50 patients.

The report said that about 50 others were also expected to enter the territory, adding that the crossing would be open for about six hours a day.

"The Rafah crossing is a lifeline," said Mohammed Nassir, a Palestinian who had his leg amputated after being injured early in the war.

"I need to undergo an operation that cannot be performed in Gaza, but can be done abroad."

Hospitals are preparing

AFP footage from Sunday showed ambulances lined up on the Egyptian side, preparing to accept medical evacuees, who were expected to be the first groups to be allowed to leave.

An official in Gaza's Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, said about 200 patients were waiting for permission to leave the territory.

AlQahera News, citing Egypt's Ministry of Health, reported that 150 hospitals and 300 ambulances were prepared to accept Palestinian patients.

She said 12,000 doctors and 30 rapid deployment teams had been assigned to work with the displaced Palestinians.

Rafah is considered a key entry point for aid into Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain dire after two years of war, despite a ceasefire in effect since October 10.

The crossing has been closed since Israeli forces took control of it in May 2024 during the war with Hamas, except for a brief and limited reopening in early 2025.

COGAT, the Israeli Defense Ministry body that coordinates Palestinian civilian affairs, made no mention of allowing a long-awaited increase in aid, speaking only of the passage of individuals “in both directions.”

Cairo News, the Egyptian state media, reported that the Egyptian side of the crossing would remain open "24 hours a day."

No displacement of Gaza residents

Meanwhile, the leaders of Egypt and Jordan reiterated their opposition to any efforts to displace Palestinians from Gaza.

Israel had previously linked the reopening of the Rafah crossing to the return of the remains of Ran Gwil, the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza. His body was found and buried last week, prompting Israel to announce the gradual reopening.

Violence continued ahead of the reopening, with the Gaza Civil Defense reporting at least 32 people killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday.

The Israeli military said it had acted after militants emerged from a tunnel in Rafah.

Located on Gaza's southern border with Egypt, Rafah is the only crossing point for entry and exit from the territory that does not pass through Israel.

It is located in an area held by Israeli forces after their withdrawal behind the so-called "Yellow Line," under the terms of the US-brokered ceasefire.

Israeli troops still control more than half of Gaza, while the rest remains under Hamas authority. /REL