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3w ago

Rafah Crossing Reopens After Two-Day Closure With Few Allowed Through

The pilot opening tied to the US-brokered ceasefire remains constrained by strict Israeli screening under disputed procedures.

Palestinians coming from the Rafah crossing embrace as they arrive at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Thursday.
TOPSHOT - Ambulances wait on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip on February 4, 2026, days after Israel permitted a limited reopening of the Palestinian territory's border post. The crossing, which is Gaza's only gateway to the outside world that does not lead to Israel, had been largely closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024 during the war with Hamas. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
Palestinian patients and their relatives gather to board a bus in Khan Younis in southern Gaza before they head to the Rafah crossing on Wednesday.
A Palestinian child waves from the window of a bus evacuating war-wounded patients through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Monday.

Overview

  • Operations resumed Sunday after a Friday–Saturday halt, with the Palestinian Red Crescent reporting 17 medical evacuees and 27 companions crossing into Egypt and a similar number expected to enter Gaza.
  • United Nations data show only 36 patients and 62 companions were able to leave in the first days, far below stated targets, while roughly 20,000 medical referrals await travel and about 1,000 patients have died waiting, according to Gaza’s health ministry and WHO.
  • Palestinians returning report long waits, handcuffing, invasive searches and interrogations by Israeli forces and by the Israeli-backed Abu Shabab group; the Israel Defense Forces deny any mistreatment.
  • Conflicting daily quotas and tight rules, including single-bag limits and capped cash, have slowed movement as travelers pass Egyptian and EU checks before Israeli security screening inside Gaza.
  • Egypt has raised concerns with the US over Israeli restrictions and alleged militia abuses on the Gaza side of the crossing, according to sources cited by The National, underscoring the fragile nature of the pilot opening.