Gaza Rafah Crossing Reopens Under Strict Israeli Security Restrictions

Rafah (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 02, 2026 –
The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened on February 1, 2026, under strict Israeli military restrictions and monitoring. Egyptian and Palestinian officials reported limited operations allowing 45 patients and 120 aid trucks through during the first 24 hours. Israeli forces maintain oversight of Palestinian side activities with electronic surveillance and personnel checks.

Egyptian Red Crescent teams processed arrivals at the Gaza terminal while Israeli military coordinates passenger and cargo manifests. Operations suspended January 15 following clashes near the crossing; current protocols limit daily throughput to 200 individuals and 150 trucks pending security assessments. Coordination occurs through established tripartite mechanisms involving Israel, Egypt, and Palestinian authorities.

Operational Details of Rafah Crossing Reopening

Israeli military engineers cleared debris from the Palestinian side terminal on January 30, restoring electronic gates and scanning equipment functionality. Egyptian authorities deployed 60 border guards and 12 ambulances to the Sinai side. Palestinian Civil Defence teams conducted structural assessments confirming terminal integrity.

First convoy entered at 08:15 local time carrying medical supplies, flour rations, and insulin shipments destined for Gaza hospitals. Passenger processing prioritised 45 medical evacuees including 18 dialysis patients and 12 cancer cases with Egyptian hospital acceptances. Israeli inspection teams utilised portable X-ray scanners and canine units screening all cargo.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry confirmed 120 aid trucks cleared by 18:00 February 1, representing 42 per cent of pre-conflict daily average. Operations halt nightly from 22:00 to 06:00 for security sweeps.

Israeli Security Protocols and Monitoring Measures 

Israel Defense Forces established forward observation posts 800 metres from the crossing equipped with thermal imaging and drone surveillance. Electronic barriers link to Tel Aviv command centre tracking personnel movements in real time. Biometric scanners verify identities against security watchlists for all entrants.

COGAT unit screens cargo manifests 48 hours prior to arrival, rejecting 17 trucks January 31 containing unapproved communications equipment. Passenger interviews conducted through armoured glass partitions with Arabic translators. Egyptian security coordinates via hotline established post-2005 Philadelphi Accord.

Military spokesperson stated restrictions respond to intelligence indicating smuggling attempts. Daily capacity caps prevent mass movements pending comprehensive threat assessments.

Egyptian Coordination and Sinai Side Operations

Egypt redeployed 150 border police from Arish garrison bolstering crossing security perimeter. North Sinai Governor Mohamed Shanhash announced 20-bed field hospital activation for returning patients. Red Crescent warehouses pre-positioned 3,000 tonnes humanitarian supplies in El-Arish.

Cairo approved 87 medical transfers following consultations with Gaza health authorities. Egyptian ambulance convoy waited 4.2 hours at the gate during initial processing delays. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed unlimited fuel supplies for Gaza hospital generators.

Sinai Bedouin tribal leaders guaranteed safe passage routes to Rafah under longstanding security pacts.

Palestinian Authority and Hamas Statements

Palestinian Health Ministry Gaza reported 45 patients evacuated including 23 children requiring specialised surgery. PA President Mahmoud Abbas instructed Health Minister Mai Al-Kaila oversee reception committees in Ramallah. Hamas Civil Defence acknowledged limited aid inflows insufficient for 2.1 million population needs.

Gaza government media broadcast footage of arriving ambulances reaching Shifa Hospital. Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor verified 112 wounded crossed receiving immediate treatment. Palestinian Red Crescent received 180 tonnes flour rations distribution commencing February 2.

Humanitarian Impact and Aid Distribution Plans

World Food Programme allocated 4,500 tonnes wheat flour from reopened supplies targeting 450,000 beneficiaries. UNICEF confirmed 200,000 children receive therapeutic feeding kits from first convoy. WHO deployed 12 mobile clinics servicing Rafah catchment area.

UNRWA warehouses restocked insulin, antibiotics, and surgical kits for 35 facilities. Logistics clusters established distribution hubs at Kerem Shalom junction facilitating onward transport. OCHA reported 1,200 vulnerable households receive priority rations.

Historical Context of Rafah Crossing Operations

Rafah operated continuously 2005-2007 under EU Border Assistance Mission supervision. Hamas takeover prompted Israeli disengagement with Egyptian sole control until 2011 revolution. 2014-2023 blockade restricted movements averaging 12 per cent pre-war capacity.

2008 ceasefire breakdown closed crossing 3 months. 2014 conflict suspension lasted 51 days. COVID-19 pandemic reduced throughput 78 per cent 2020-2022. November 2023 closure followed Hamas attacks initiating current restrictions.

Egypt constructed 5km conveyor belt system 2021 enhancing bulk goods transfer.

International Monitoring and Coordination Mechanisms

UN Trilateral Coordination Committee met Cairo January 29 confirming reopening timetables. EU reactivated Border Assistance Mission observers numbering 28 personnel. US security coordinator General Michael Kurilla briefed Netanyahu on Egyptian compliance.

Qatar delivered $18 million fuel grant facilitating generator operations. Jordan dispatched 40 truck medical convoy February 1. Turkish Kizilay positioned 500 tonnes aid at Rafah staging area.

ICRC delegates witnessed first transfers under Geneva Conventions protocols.

Security Incidents Preceding Reopening

January 15 rocket fire near terminal wounded 2 Egyptian guards prompting closure. Israeli airstrikes targeted alleged smuggling tunnels 300 metres east of crossing. Egyptian Apache helicopters conducted 4 warning passes over Gaza side.

Hamas military wing claimed responsibility for 3 failed infiltration attempts. Bedouin gunmen fired warning shots deterring 17 smuggling parties. Israeli surveillance drones logged 42 tunnel excavation attempts since December 2025.

Medical Evacuation Case Details Reported

45 patients included 18 suffering acute renal failure requiring dialysis unavailable in Gaza. 12 oncology cases transported to Cairo Cancer Institute. Paediatric transfers comprised 8 congenital heart defects and 6 thalassemia cases.

Egyptian military ambulances equipped life support systems transferred patients to Arish hospitals. 3 patients listed critical condition stabilised during border transit. Rafah field hospital admitted 21 returnees post-inspection.

Gaza doctors certified medical necessity documentation reviewed by Israeli medical officers.

Aid Composition and Distribution Networks

120 trucks delivered 1,800 tonnes flour, 450,000 vaccine doses, 90 tonnes antibiotics. WFP wheat allocation services 1.2 million monthly rations. UNICEF nutritional pastes target 320,000 malnourished children under 5.

UNRWA trucks distribute family parcels containing 30kg flour, 3kg lentils, 1.5 litres oil. Logistics cluster coordinates 18 convoys weekly from Jordan River crossing supplement. Egyptian warehouses hold 15,000 tonnes prepositioned stocks.

Technical Infrastructure and Processing Capacity

Israeli-installed 6 high-resolution scanners process 25 trucks hourly. Egyptian side deployed 4 forklift units handling palletised cargo. Automated number plate recognition links to INTERPOL databases.

Terminal expanded 2024 accommodates 300 daily passengers peak capacity. Solar power arrays ensure continuous operations during fuel shortages. Wastewater treatment upgraded prevents cross-border contamination.

Ongoing Restrictions and Future Operations

Israeli military maintains right to suspend operations following threat assessments. Daily quotas established at 200 passengers, 150 trucks pending 30-day evaluation. Night closures enforce 8-hour security windows.

Egyptian cabinet approved 90-day special operating regime. Coordination meetings scheduled weekly through Trilateral Committee. Hamas submitted 1,200 names for medical evacuation consideration.

Capacity expansion discussions target pre-2023 levels following stabilisation period.