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1h ago

Rafah Crossing Partially Reopens for Pedestrian Travel Under Ceasefire Plan

A tightly controlled pilot allows only small numbers to cross on foot under Israeli-Egyptian vetting with EU oversight.

Ambulances line up to enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing on the way to the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohamed Arafat)
TOPSHOT - Ambulances wait in line at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Palestinian Gaza Strip, in northeastern Egypt on the first day of the evacuation of some 50 Palestinian, at the Rafah crossing on February 2, 2026. Gaza's key Rafah border crossing was reopened to Palestinians on February 2, 2026, an Israeli security official said, but Egyptian state-linked media said only 50 people would be allowed to cross in each direction in the early days. The resumption of operations comes after Israeli forces seized control of the gateway to Egypt in May 2024 during the war with Hamas. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
Egyptian ambulances line up to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border from the Egyptian side, following the first day Israel reopened the border between Gaza and Egypt on Monday for people on foot, in Rafah, Egypt, February 2, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Overview

  • Israel and Egypt reopened Rafah on Monday in a pilot phase for pedestrian movement, with the first group of about 50 returnees processed on the Egyptian side before Israeli checks.
  • Initial throughput is limited to dozens per day, with officials variously reporting roughly 50 people each way or up to 150 departures and 50 entries daily in the opening days.
  • The crossing is restricted to people only, with no goods allowed, and all travelers are vetted by Israel and Egypt under EU Border Assistance Mission monitoring.
  • Medical evacuations are being prioritized as Gaza authorities cite around 20,000 patients awaiting transfer, and Egypt says 150 hospitals, 250–300 ambulances and thousands of staff are prepared to receive them.
  • The reopening, a first‑phase ceasefire requirement tied by Israel to the return of the last hostage’s remains, proceeds as strikes kill dozens over the weekend and as Israel orders Doctors Without Borders to leave Gaza by Feb. 28.