Rafah Border Crossing Reopens: A Lifeline for Gazans

Mon Feb 02 2026 13:55:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The key Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has reopened, allowing limited movement for Palestinians. This comes after a prolonged closure and is part of a broader ceasefire plan aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis.

After nearly two years of closure, the Rafah border crossing has reopened, permitting a small number of Palestinians to cross between Gaza and Egypt. The crossing has been a critical exit point for medical evacuations amid ongoing humanitarian needs. Only a limited number of crossings will be allowed each day under strict supervision, and further humanitarian aid is still restricted.

Palestinians have started to re-enter the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt after it reopened for the movement of people.

The crossing has largely been closed since May 2024, when the Palestinian side was captured by Israeli forces.

The long-delayed reopening is a key part of the first stage of US President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas, which began in October.

Only dozens of people will be able to cross in both directions each day. Humanitarian aid and commercial goods will still not be allowed through.

Around 20,000 sick and wounded Palestinians are waiting to leave Gaza for treatment. Israeli reports indicate that only 50 patients, accompanied by two relatives, will be allowed to exit each day. Furthermore, 50 of the tens of thousands of people who left Gaza during the war will be allowed to return.

The World Health Organization (WHO) will oversee the transfer of patients from territory under Hamas control, transporting them by bus through territory controlled by the Israeli military to the crossing, BBC News understands.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that anyone who crossed the Yellow Line, which marks Israeli-controlled territory under the ceasefire deal, would be met with fire.

The Rafah crossing will be run by supervisors from the European Union and local Palestinian staff, while Israel will conduct remote security checks.

On Sunday, Israeli authorities announced that a trial opening of the crossing had been completed successfully.

One Palestinian official familiar with the arrangements for the trial run mentioned that around 30 Palestinian staff members had arrived at the Egyptian side of the crossing prior to the operational phase.

Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan states that the reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions will adhere to the same mechanism as a previous ceasefire deal established in January last year.

Prior to being seized by Israel in 2024, the crossing served as the principal exit point for Palestinians seeking to leave during the conflict and a significant entry point for humanitarian supplies.

In December, the Israeli government had announced that the Rafah crossing would open to permit Palestinians to exit Gaza. However, Egypt stipulated that the crossing would only be opened if movement was allowed in both directions, enabling the return of many Palestinian refugees.

The opening of the crossing was also postponed due to Israel's condition for Hamas to locate the body of the last deceased Israeli hostage in Gaza.

Last week, the Israeli military reported that the remains of police officer Master Sgt Ran Gvili were retrieved from a cemetery in northern Gaza. He was among 251 individuals taken hostage by Hamas and its allies during their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties.

Israel's military response in Gaza has reportedly claimed the lives of over 71,790 Palestinians, according to figures from the territory's Hamas-led health ministry.