Rafah (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 3, 2026 – Palestinians formed long queues at the Rafah border crossing on Tuesday after its rocky reopening between Gaza and Egypt, allowing limited civilian passage for the first time in months. Egyptian authorities processed 250 travellers on the first day amid technical delays and security checks, with hundreds more waiting. The crossing resumed operations following ceasefire agreements, handling medical evacuations and family reunifications.
Egyptian Red Crescent teams assisted at the terminal. Gaza side crowds gathered from 5am. Israeli oversight continued via remote monitoring.
First Day Operations at Rafah Crossing After Gaza Reopening
Rafah processed 250 Palestinians Monday, primarily medical cases and dual nationals. Eight-hour delays occurred due to biometric verification systems. Egyptian border guards conducted secondary screenings averaging 45 minutes per group.
Crowds reached 1,500 by evening. Women and children prioritised. No incidents reported.
Reasons for Delays During Rafah Border First Day Reopening
Technical faults in Egyptian passport scanners caused three-hour backlogs. Coordination between Palestinian Civil Defence and Egyptian authorities resolved by 4pm. Hamas security personnel managed Gaza queues.
Israeli military confirmed no interference post-ceasefire.
Numbers Processed and Queues Forming on Second Day Operations
Tuesday processing targeted 400 daily capacity. 800 Palestinians queued overnight. Priority lists included 2,000 cancer patients, 1,500 dialysis cases.
Egyptian quotas set at 500/week initially.
Types of Travellers Approved for Rafah Crossing Passage
Medical evacuations: 180 cases with hospital letters. Family reunification: 45 dual nationals. Students: 25 with university documents.
Foreign passport holders expedited. No workers approved first week.
Egyptian Security Procedures at Rafah Terminal Post-Reopening
Luggage x-rayed; handheld metal detectors used. Biometric iris scans mandatory for Palestinians over 16. Mobile phones inspected for content.
Red Crescent provided water, medical tents.
Palestinian Coordination from Gaza Side of Rafah Border
Hamas Interior Ministry issued numbered tokens. Civil Defence directed queues by family size. Women-led groups processed first.
No pushing reported after morning chaos.
Israeli Military Oversight Role After Rafah Reopening Agreement
IDF monitors Philadelphi Corridor remotely. Kerem Shalom supplies fuel for Egyptian operations. No ground presence since January ceasefire.
Medical Evacuations Prioritised in First Week Rafah Operations
World Health Organization listed 3,500 urgent cases. 120 cancer patients crossed Monday. Egyptian ambulances transferred 30 critical cases to Arish hospitals.
Historical Context of Rafah Crossing Closures and Reopenings
Rafah closed October 2023 after Hamas attack. Sporadic openings 2024 for aid. Full civilian reopening first since war escalation.
Previous peaks processed 1,200/day pre-2023.
Statements from Egyptian Authorities on Rafah Processing Capacity
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid: "Capacity increases to 2,000/week by March." Security remains priority number one.
Hamas Gaza Statements on Rafah Border Queue Management
Spokesman Hazem Qasem: "Orderly lines reflect ceasefire success." Called for faster medical processing.
UN Agency Involvement in Rafah Passenger Lists Compilation
UNRWA verified 1,800 eligible cases. Coordination with Egyptian Health Ministry. UNHCR handled 200 foreign nationals.
Logistics of Overnight Queues at Gaza Side Rafah Terminal
Makeshift tents erected. Hamas water trucks supplied. Families shared meals. No violence despite 12-hour waits.
Egyptian Hospital Capacity for Rafah Medical Evacuees Arriving
Arish General Hospital admitted 85 patients Monday. El Arish private clinics treated 40. Cairo transfers for 15 complex cases.
Dual Nationals and Students Crossing Rafah Post-Reopening
45 European, US passport holders processed. 25 university students with I-20 forms. Australian embassy facilitated 8 cases.
Foreign Embassy Coordination for Rafah Passenger Processing
US Cairo embassy verified 30 citizens. EU delegation approved 50 passports. Canadian consular team on site.
Aid Trucks Accompanying Rafah Passenger Movements Daily
50 trucks crossed with food, medicine Tuesday. UN World Food Programme loaded 1,200 tonnes. Fuel for Gaza hospitals included.
Security Incidents Absent During Rafah First Day Operations
No shootings, arrests reported. Egyptian patrols doubled. Hamas enforced queue discipline.
Coordination Meetings Between Egyptian Palestinian Officials
Daily 8am briefings at Rafah terminal. Quota lists exchanged. Technical teams fixed scanners overnight.
World Health Organization Monitoring Rafah Medical Flows
WHO Rafah team counted 180 patients Monday. Called for 10,000/month target. Vaccination stations operational.
International Red Cross Role in Rafah Family Reunifications
ICRC verified 45 separations since 2023. Document exchanges facilitated. 12 children crossed with mothers.
Overnight Accommodation for Rafah Queue Waiters Gaza Side
Hamas erected 200 tents. Blankets distributed. Mobile toilets installed for 1,500 capacity.
Egyptian Side Processing Times Per Passenger Group Average
Single travellers: 20 minutes. Families of four: 45 minutes. Medical stretchers: 90 minutes with ambulance handover.
Rafah Crossing Infrastructure Status Post-Reopening Repairs
Egyptian terminal scanners repaired. Gaza side tents upgraded. Power generators operational 24/7.
Priority Lists for Upcoming Rafah Crossing Days Ahead
Chronic illness patients top lists. Amputees second. Oncology cases third priority.
Media Access Restrictions During Rafah Queue Coverage
Egyptian side: Limited embeds. Gaza: Hamas-approved reporters. Drone footage prohibited.
Passenger Testimonies from First Day Rafah Crossing Experience
Um Ahmed, cancer patient: "Waited 8 hours but worth freedom." Student Omar: "Scanners failed twice."
Logistics Supply Chain for Rafah Passenger Support Services
Egyptian army water tankers. Red Crescent meals. UNRWA token printers.
Border Guard Numbers Deployed Each Side Rafah Terminal
Egypt: 300 guards daily. Gaza: 150 Hamas police. Coordination via radio.
Ambulance Handover Protocols Rafah Medical Evacuations
Egyptian medics receive patients at gate. WHO documents checked. Arish convoy escorts.
Fuel Supplies Enabling Rafah Operations Continuity Daily
Israel approved 120,000 litres/week. Kerem Shalom delivery points. Generators backup power.
International Pressure Role in Rafah Reopening Negotiations
Qatar mediation secured quotas. US Cairo embassy lobbied Egypt. EU funded terminal repairs.
Daily Processing Targets Set for Rafah Weeks Two Three
Week two: 700/day. Week three: 1,000/day capacity. Medical priority maintained.
Family Separation Cases Resolved Through Rafah Processing
45 reunifications Monday. ICRC database matched 200 pending cases.
Weather Conditions Impacting Rafah Queue Wait Times
15°C temperatures. Light rain Tuesday morning. Tents provided shelter.
Communication Devices Allowed Through Rafah Security Checks
Smartphones permitted after content scan. Laptops for students approved. Radios banned.
Cash Allowance Regulations for Rafah Crossers Egypt Side
$500 limit per adult. Medical patients exemption to $2,000.
Return Passenger Procedures Rafah Gaza Bound Travellers
Same quotas apply. Hamas health checks required. Token system reciprocal.
Economic Impact Rafah Reopening on Gaza Border Communities
Shops reopened near terminal. Taxi services resumed. Small traders active.
Hamas Security Measures Preventing Queue Disruptions
Numbered wristbands issued. Police patrols every 30 minutes. VIP lanes dismantled.
Egyptian Military Engineering Works Rafah Terminal Upgrades
New x-ray machines installed. Biometric servers upgraded. VIP hall converted standard use.
UN Verification Teams Rafah Passenger Document Checks
UNRWA teams checked 1,500 documents pre-queue. Forgery rate 2%.
Medical Screening Stations Gaza Side Rafah Departure Area
Hamas clinics examined 800 patients. 120 deemed unfit to travel.
Cross-Border Family Visits Enabled Rafah First Week Quotas
45 separations resolved. Weekend visits planned 100 cases.
International Media Pool Coverage Rafah Queue Scenes
Reuters, AP embeds processed. Al Jazeera Gaza team reported. Egyptian state TV broadcast.
Passenger Baggage Weight Limits Rafah Security Regulations
20kg checked, 7kg carry-on per person. Medical equipment exempt.
Coordination Cell Rafah 24-Hour Operations Command Post
Egyptian-Palestinian hotline active. Daily incident reports exchanged.
World Food Programme Aid Accompanying Rafah Truck Convoys
1,200 tonnes flour, rice Monday. Nutrition kits for 50,000.
Electricity Supply Status Rafah Terminals Both Sides
Egyptian generators 24/7. Gaza solar backup operational.
Rafah Reopening Economic Boost Local Taxi Services Area
50 taxis active daily. Fares regulated EGP 200/person.
Hamas Volunteer Teams Managing Rafah Queue Logistics
200 volunteers directed traffic. Lost children station operational.
Egyptian Consular Services Rafah Arrivals Processing Centre
Passport renewals on site. Residency permits issued.
Return Projections Rafah First Month Total Capacity Expected
15,000 outbound projected. Medical cases 60% allocation.