The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has partially reopened, marking a significant yet restricted development under the recent Israeli-Hamas ceasefire agreement. This crucial passageway, which had been largely shut for almost two years, began limited operations on Monday.
While the crossing’s reopening signals a potential easing of tensions, strict limitations are in place. Only a select number of individuals are permitted to travel in either direction, and the passage of commercial goods remains prohibited, according to officials.
On the initial day, Egyptian authorities have allowed up to 50 Palestinians to cross in each direction, a move that indicates a cautious approach rather than a full-scale return to pre-conflict conditions. Health officials in Gaza highlight the urgency, with tens of thousands of residents needing medical evacuation via Rafah, illustrating the strain on the crossing as access remains heavily regulated. Additionally, thousands of Palestinians stranded outside Gaza are eagerly waiting to come back home.
Ambulances were seen lining up at the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing, preparing to enter the Gaza Strip, as captured in images from Rafah, Egypt, on Sunday, February 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohamed Arafat)
Historically, Rafah served as Gaza’s primary link to the outside world, with all other crossings being controlled by Israel. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces maintain authority over the corridor leading to the crossing, affecting the areas where most Palestinians reside.
Before the war, Rafah served as Gaza’s primary passage to the outside world. All other crossings into the territory are shared with Israel. Under the ceasefire framework that took effect in October, Israeli forces continue to control the corridor between the crossing and the areas where most Palestinians live.
Israel and Egypt are vetting travelers, and the crossing is being overseen with international involvement, officials said, as part of efforts to prevent weapons smuggling while allowing limited humanitarian movement.
A crane enters the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing to the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohamed Arafat)
Egypt has said the crossing must function in both directions and has pushed back against any use of Rafah as a mechanism to permanently displace Palestinians from Gaza.
Elsewhere in the territory, fighting-related incidents continued despite the ceasefire. Gaza hospital officials accused an Israeli navy vessel of firing on a tent camp near the southern city of Khan Younis, killing a 3-year-old Palestinian boy. Israel’s military said it was reviewing the report.
Egyptian authorities said roughly 150 hospitals across the country are prepared to receive patients evacuated from Gaza, while the Egyptian Red Crescent has set up support areas on the Egyptian side of the crossing.
A truck carrying humanitarian aid at the Rafah border on the Egyptian side, in Rafah, Egypt, on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Reuters)
Israel seized control of the Rafah crossing in May 2024, describing the move as part of its campaign against Hamas smuggling routes. The crossing was briefly opened for medical evacuations during a short-lived ceasefire in early 2025.
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10 halted more than two years of fighting that began with the Hamas-led terror attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The ceasefire’s initial phase focused on hostage exchanges, increased humanitarian aid and a limited Israeli pullback.
A second phase envisions a new Palestinian governing arrangement for Gaza, the deployment of an international security force, the disarmament of Hamas and steps toward reconstruction — goals that remain unresolved.
