Rafah Border Crossing Reopens for Bidirectional Movement, Easing Humanitarian Access Gaza, 2 Feb 2026 (ONA) — Patients,
wounded, and citizens begin crossing into Egypt, while stranded Palestinians
return to Gaza Strip, amidst ongoing Israeli security controls. The Rafah border crossing in
southern Gaza reopened for two-way traffic today, facilitating the movement of
patients, the wounded, and other civilians for the first time in weeks,
according to official Palestinian reports. The Palestinian news agency WAFA
stated that the crossing opened officially for citizens with humanitarian
needs. Approximately 150 patients and their companions, prepared since early
morning, were transported for treatment in hospitals outside the Gaza Strip.
Simultaneously, a number of Palestinians stranded on the Egyptian side are expected
to cross back into Gaza. However, movement remains heavily
scrutinized. Citizens expressed hope for a smooth process but cited potential
obstacles imposed by Israeli occupation authorities, who maintain a military
checkpoint and inspection point adjacent to the crossing to screen returning
individuals and their belongings. The situation regarding patient
evacuations remains complex. A source within the Gaza-based Palestinian
Ministry of Health said that as of Monday, there was “no new
development” concerning patient travel via Rafah. The source clarified
that a separate group of patients would instead leave the Strip through the
Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is fully controlled and administered by Israeli occupation
forces. In parallel, a separate source
confirmed that a number of Gaza residents had arrived on the Egyptian side of
the Rafah crossing and were preparing to enter Gaza later in the day. The
reopening marks a critical, albeit limited, step in alleviating the
humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.

— Ends/Khalid