Egypt Gaza: Rafah border crossing partially open for passenger traffic
For the first time in around a year, the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip has been partially reopened for passenger traffic. The crossing is officially in operation, reported the Egyptian state-affiliated television station Al-Kahira News, and Israeli security circles also confirmed the move. This should allow a limited number of sick and injured Palestinians to leave the Gaza Strip again, as well as the return of people who have fled the war. However, aid supplies will still not be delivered directly from Egypt to the Gaza Strip for the time being.
02.02.2026, 10:17
SDA
Television stations showed images of ambulances driving people in the Gaza Strip to the crossing point for treatment abroad. There, ambulances were waiting on the Egyptian side to receive the sick and injured. According to informed Palestinian sources, around 50 people were also waiting there to enter Gaza. Al-Kahira News showed minibuses with luggage on the roofs and women and children going to a building for clearance in the transit area of the crossing.
Yesterday, the crossing was opened for a "trial run". The aim was to test the operating procedure, according to the responsible Israeli Cogat authority. "Traffic of residents in both directions, leaving and entering Gaza" is expected on Monday, it said.
Around 150 people should be able to leave every day
Rafah is the only border crossing from the Gaza Strip that does not cross Israeli territory. It is considered the "gateway to the world" into the coastal strip, which is strictly sealed off by Israel. Israel's army took control of the crossing on the Palestinian side during its offensive in Gaza in May 2024. It has been closed almost continuously since then.
According to Israeli reports, an estimated 150 people are expected to leave the Gaza Strip every day from today, while around 50 will be able to return. Al-Kahira News, on the other hand, reported that only 50 people would leave and 50 would enter. The opening is part of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan and is taking place within the framework of a ceasefire that has been in place since October 10.
Healthcare in the Gaza Strip remains poor. According to Palestinian figures, around 20,000 sick and injured people in Gaza are waiting for treatment abroad. Critics therefore describe the widely announced opening of Rafah to allow only a few dozen people to leave every day as symbolic and a "drop in the ocean".
In the other direction, i.e. from Egypt, Palestinians can now also return to the area, which was extensively destroyed during the war that has been going on for more than two years. According to Israeli information, however, this is only possible for those who left the Gaza Strip during the fighting. These are said to be around 42,000 Palestinians.
Checks by Israel, stamps by Palestinian officials
The movement of people via Rafah follows a multi-stage procedure. According to Israeli media reports, Egypt submits a daily list with the names of the people passing through. Entry and exit is supervised and supported by the EU mission on the ground (Eubam Rafah) and is only permitted in cases that have been approved by the Israeli secret service. Israel could use this to restrict movements, warned Diaa Rashwan, chairman of the Egyptian State Information Service (SIS).
According to reports from Israel, Israeli officials will also carry out the overarching security checks. Israel's army is stationed around the crossing on the Palestinian side. Passport stamps, on the other hand, are issued by representatives of the Palestinian Authority. Palestinians have recently only been able to leave Gaza via the Israeli Kerem Shalom border crossing under strict conditions.
The opening of Rafah was announced weeks ago, but was repeatedly delayed. One hurdle was the return of the last hostage who was still in the Gaza Strip. The mortal remains of policeman Ran Gvili were identified a week ago and brought to Israel.
Aid organizations have long been calling for the complete opening of Rafah, including for the direct import of aid supplies. Over the past two years of war, there have been hundreds of trucks full of aid waiting to enter on the Egyptian side. Although these trucks enter Rafah, they are then diverted to other border crossings in Israel and checked there before entering Gaza.
