The Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt has officially reopened for the limited movement of individuals, according to a report by the Kan public broadcaster.
Under the current arrangement, Egyptian authorities will submit a daily list of 50 Gaza residents seeking to re-enter the enclave. Following security screenings, those approved will be permitted entry the following day. Simultaneously, European representatives will provide Egypt with a list of 150 Gaza residents wishing to depart the territory, including details on their final destinations. Egypt retains the right to approve or deny these departure requests.
This follows an announcement on February 1 by COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for Palestinian territorial coordination, stating that the crossing would resume two-way transit for residents starting February 2. Although Israeli authorities had initially aimed for a February 1 reopening, the process requires close coordination with Egypt, rigorous security checks by Israeli services, and oversight by a European Union mission. A similar operational framework was utilized during the previous reopening of the Rafah crossing in January 2025.
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Photo: Gigi Ibrahim/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS