Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopens for limited traffic in key step for ceasefire
The Rafah crossing allows limited pedestrian and patient movement under EU supervision as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire; about 50 Palestinians can cross each way daily, officials said.
- On Feb 2, Egyptian and Israeli security officials said Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened for limited traffic, a key step as the ceasefire moves into its second phase.
- Following diplomatic pressure and conditions, Israel had resisted reopening, but recovery of the last hostage's remains last week cleared the way for the U.S.-brokered ceasefire's second phase.
- Israel and Egypt will vet travelers, with EU supervision and a small Palestinian presence, as an Egyptian official said 50 Palestinians would cross in each direction on Monday.
- Ambulances queued on the Egyptian side as Gaza health officials say about 20,000 patients await evacuation, but only 3,100 patients previously managed to exit, limiting immediate impact.
- With Israel retaining frontier control, recent Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 30 people indicate a risk of return to war, and Israel's risk assessment will determine flow increases.
228 Articles
228 Articles
The crossing point between Gaza and Egypt reopened on Sunday, subject to conditions, after two years of closure. A news received with caution by the Gazans, who denounce a daily life always rhythmic by suffering, despite almost four months of ceasefire.
The first Palestinians have now crossed the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt, several news agencies report. Three ambulances carrying injured people were the first to cross the border. “The sick and injured were immediately examined upon arrival to determine which hospitals they should be sent to,” Egyptian authorities told AFP.
First medical evacuees leave Gaza for Egypt as Rafah crossing reopens
The crossing has been closed almost entirely since it was seized by Israeli troops in May 2024.
Gazans begin crossing to Egypt for treatment after partial Rafah reopening
Sick and wounded Gazans began crossing into Egypt to seek medical treatment on Monday after Israel permitted a limited reopening of the Palestinian territory's Rafah border post.
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