Vans carrying humanitarian aids line as much as enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing, heading for inspection by Israeli authorities earlier than getting into the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.
Mohammed Arafat/AP
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Mohammed Arafat/AP
CAIRO — Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened on Monday for restricted visitors, a key step because the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire strikes forward, in line with Egyptian and Israeli safety officers.
An Egyptian official stated 50 Palestinians would cross in every route within the first day of the crossing’s operation. The official, concerned in talks associated the implementation of the ceasefire deal, spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity to debate the problem.
State-run Egyptian media and an Israeli safety official additionally confirmed the reopening, which for now no less than, is essentially symbolic. Few folks might be allowed to journey in both route, and no items might be allowed to enter.
About 20,000 Palestinian youngsters and adults needing medical care hope to go away devastated Gaza by way of the crossing, in line with Gaza well being officers. 1000’s of different Palestinians outdoors the territory hope to enter and return residence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has additionally stated that Israel will enable 50 sufferers a day to go away. An official concerned within the discussions, talking on situation of anonymity to debate the diplomatic talks, stated every affected person can be allowed to journey with two kin, whereas some 50 individuals who left Gaza through the battle can be allowed to return every day.
The Egyptian well being ministry stated in an announcement on Monday that 150 hospitals throughout the nation have been ready to obtain Palestinian sufferers and wounded who might be evacuated from Gaza by the Rafah crossing.
Israel has stated it and Egypt will vet folks for exit and entry by the crossing, which might be supervised by European Union border patrol brokers with a small Palestinian presence. The numbers of vacationers are anticipated to extend over time, if the system is profitable.
Ambulances line as much as enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing on the way in which to the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.
Mohammed Arafat/AP
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Mohammed Arafat/AP
Israeli troops seized the Rafah crossing in Might 2024, calling it a part of efforts to fight arms-smuggling for the militant Hamas group. The crossing was briefly opened for the evacuation of medical sufferers throughout a ceasefire in early 2025. Israel had resisted reopening the Rafah crossing, however the restoration of the stays of the final hostage in Gaza final week cleared the way in which to maneuver ahead.
The reopening is a key step as final yr’s U.S.-brokered ceasefire settlement that took impact on Oct. 10 strikes into its second section.
Earlier than the battle, Rafah was the primary crossing for folks transferring out and in of Gaza. The territory’s handful of different crossings are all shared with Israel. Underneath the ceasefire phrases, Israel’s navy controls the world between the Rafah crossing and the zone the place most Palestinians dwell.
Fearing that Israel might use the crossing to push Palestinians out of the enclave, Egypt has repeatedly stated it have to be open for them to enter and exit Gaza. Traditionally, Israel and Egypt have vetted Palestinians making use of to cross.
The present ceasefire halted greater than two years of battle between Israel and Hamas that started with the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The truce’s first section known as for the change of all hostages held in Gaza for lots of of Palestinians held by Israel, a rise in badly wanted humanitarian support and a partial pullback of Israeli troops.
The second section of the ceasefire deal is extra difficult. It requires putting in the brand new Palestinian committee to control Gaza, deploying a world safety power, disarming Hamas and taking steps to start rebuilding.
