Rafah reopens under strict restrictions: only 12 Gazans allowed into Egypt

Tuesday 03 February 2026 - 12:30

By: Sahili Aya

Rafah reopens under strict restrictions: only 12 Gazans allowed into Egypt

The Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt partially reopened on Monday after months of closure, but under severe restrictions. Only twelve people—five injured Palestinians and seven accompanying relatives—were allowed to enter Egypt on the first day of the reopening, according to a source at the border.

The reopening, described as “highly limited,” follows the closure of the crossing since May 2024, when Israeli forces took control of the area. Although Egyptian authorities had announced that up to 50 patients per day, each with two companions, could potentially be authorized, the actual number of entries remained far below that threshold.

Three ambulances transported the wounded patients, who were immediately assessed upon arrival in Egypt to determine their transfer to specialized hospitals. Egyptian officials reported that the country has mobilized extensive medical resources, including 150 hospitals, 300 ambulances, and thousands of doctors, to prepare for possible medical evacuations from Gaza.

Despite these efforts, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical. Local health officials estimate that around 20,000 people are in urgent need of medical treatment, including more than 4,000 children. However, no official figures have been released regarding the number of people allowed to return to Gaza through the crossing.

Most notably, the reopening does not include the entry of international humanitarian aid. Rafah remains closed to relief convoys, leaving Gaza largely cut off from essential supplies. Observers describe the situation as symbolic rather than transformative, offering limited relief to a population facing a deepening humanitarian crisis.

While some Palestinian officials have referred to the reopening as a “window of hope,” the strict controls and absence of aid highlight the fragile and uncertain nature of the measure.