Israel says Rafah crossing to reopen partially on Sunday under tightened security mechanism
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابIsrael will partially reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in the first significant reopening since Israel took control of the gateway in May 2024, according to Israel’s COGAT.
COGAT said the initial reopening will allow limited pedestrian movement only, primarily for Palestinians who left Gaza during the war and have received prior Israeli security clearance, while screenings will involve both Israeli and Egyptian checks and will be supervised with support from EU border agents, reports said.
Reuters also reported Israel is seeking to cap entries at around 150 people per day, a limit Egypt has not agreed to, as the move unfolds under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire framework and amid ongoing humanitarian concerns about restrictions on goods and so-called dual-use items needed for reconstruction.
