ISRAELI OCCUPIED GAZA, 02 Feb. - (ANA) - Israel partially reopened the Rafah crossing between the devastated Gaza Strip and Egypt on Sunday following months of urging from humanitarian organisations, though access is limited to the movement of people rather than goods.

 

The reopening comes as Israeli strikes continued, despite a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory, with Gaza's civil defence agency reporting more than 30 killed in attacks on Saturday.

 

COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body coordinating Palestinian civilian affairs, said Sunday that the "Rafah Crossing was opened today for the limited passage of residents only," describing the reopening as "an initial pilot phase," coordinated with the EU.

 

An official at Gaza's health ministry said that about 200 patients were waiting to be permitted to leave the territory once the crossing opened.

 

Meanwhile, a group of "around 40 Palestinians affiliated with the Palestinian Authority has arrived on the Egyptian side of the crossing to be allowed into Gaza and begin their work", a Palestinian official told AFP on condition of anonymity.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/02 February 2026 - - -