Palestinian patients

Video Duration 01 minutes 42 seconds play-arrow01:42

Palestinians express fragile hope as Rafah Crossing reopens under strict Israeli control

By Urooba Jamal and Tim Hume

Published On 2 Feb 20262 Feb 2026

  • Thousands of sick and wounded Palestinians are eagerly waiting to leave for urgent medical care abroad as Israel says it will open the Rafah border with Egypt today for “limited” transfers.
  • The Rafah crossing – after being closed by Israel for nearly two years – will reportedly operate for six hours a day and allow the exit of only 150 people, with 50 individuals greenlighted to enter Gaza from Egypt.