The Government of Israel announced this Friday (01/30/2026) that the Rafah crossing, which connects Egypt with Gaza and which is under its military control, will be reopened next Sunday, both for the entry and exit of people.
A statement from Gogat, the military arm that manages civil affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, announced today that, in accordance with the ceasefire, Rafah will open on February 1 “in both directions, with limited movement of people.”
The Gaza side of the border crossing has been under Israeli military control since the May 2024 offensive against southern Gaza, even though it should have reopened in the initial phase of the ceasefire negotiated by US President Donald Trump in October last year.
“Entry and exit to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing will be allowed in coordination with Egypt, prior security authorization from Israel and under the supervision of the European Union mission, similar to the mechanism implemented in January 2025,” the announcement details.
However, the text details that, in addition to the identification control by the European Union mission, there will be a second corridor where an “additional control and identification process” will be carried out on everyone who crosses, “operated by the defense establishment in an area under control” of the Israeli Army.
According to Israel, the return of the numerous Gazans who left the Strip through Egypt will be allowed “only after Israeli security authorization” and in coordination with Egypt, which makes humanitarian groups fear that, in reality, the reopening of this crossing will serve Israel to further empty the Strip of Palestinians.
Before the Israeli war offensive that has devastated Gaza, Rafah was a vital crossing for the entry of goods. Additionally, the World Health Organization says there are more than 16,500 sick and injured people who need to leave Gaza for urgent medical care.
CP (efe, afp, rtr)
