News|GazaTrickle of Palestinians get to leave, enter Gaza as Rafah crossing reopensOnly 12 Palestinians entered Gaza through Rafah while five patients and their escorts were allowed to leave for Egypt.
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened on Mon, Feb 2, 2026, though with significant restrictions. Israeli authorities have allowed only a limited number of individuals to pass through, with five medical evacuees leaving Gaza and 12…
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened on Mon, Feb 2, 2026, though with significant restrictions. Israeli authorities have allowed only a limited number of individuals to pass through, with five medical evacuees leaving Gaza and 12 Palestinians returning. This falls short of the previously promised 50 individuals in each direction.
Despite expectations for broader access, the reopening has been accompanied by stringent security measures. The process includes a rigorous security clearance protocol, which has delayed and restricted travel for many. As a result, the movement of goods remains blocked.
An estimated 20,000 individuals in need of medical treatment are currently waiting to exit Gaza. On the first day of reopening, only five patients were permitted to leave. Ambulances were observed waiting for hours at the border, prepared to transport patients across to Egypt.
Notably, patients such as Randa Abu Mustafa’s son, who lost sight due to injuries, were among the few allowed to leave. Many others, including Shimaa Abu Rida’s daughter, still await approval.
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened on Mon, Feb 2, 2026, though with significant restrictions.
The United Nations has emphasized the need for the Rafah crossing to function effectively as a humanitarian corridor. Tom Fletcher, UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, deemed the partial reopening inadequate for delivering essential aid.
Qatar, involved in brokering the ceasefire agreement, has urged Israel to allow the consistent flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its support for the Palestinian cause, advocating for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
Since the conflict began in October 2023, Israeli actions in Gaza have resulted in over 71,800 fatalities and 171,555 injuries, according to Palestinian health authorities. The Rafah crossing, previously a key transit point, remains under tight control, highlighting ongoing challenges for the region.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
