Medical evacuees from Gaza enter Egypt as the Rafah crossing reopens

"CAIRO -- Medical evacuees from Gaza entered Egypt on Monday as the Rafah border crossing reopened, marking a key step in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire but a mostly symbolic one. Few people will be allowed to travel in either direction and no goods will pass through. Ambulances waited for hours at the border before ferrying patients across after sunset, Egypt's state-run Al-Qahera News satellite television channel showed. The crossing had been closed since Israeli troops seized it in May 2024."

"About 20,000 Palestinian children and adults needing medical care hope to leave the devastated territory via the crossing, according to Gaza health officials. Thousands of other Palestinians outside the territory hope to enter and return home. Ambulances line up to enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing into the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. The number of travelers is expected to increase over time if the system is successful."

"Under the terms of the ceasefire, which went into effect in October, Israel's military controls the area between the Rafah crossing and the zone where most Palestinians live. Violence continued across the coastal territory Monday, and Gaza hospital officials said an Israeli navy ship had fired on a tent camp, killing a 3-year-old Palestinian boy. Israel's military said it was looking into the incident."

Rafah border crossing reopened and medical evacuees from Gaza entered Egypt under strict limits that allow few travelers and no goods. Ambulances waited hours before ferrying patients across after sunset. The crossing had been closed since Israeli troops seized it in May 2024. Gaza health officials say about 20,000 children and adults need medical evacuation, and thousands more outside Gaza hope to re-enter. Israel and Egypt will vet people for exit and entry. Israel's military controls the area between Rafah and most populated zones under the ceasefire. Violence persists, including an incident involving an Israeli navy ship and a tent camp.

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