Israel Tests Rafah Crossing Ahead Of Feb. 1 Limited Reopening
COGAT said on Jan. 30, 2026 that Rafah will begin limited two-way passage of people on Feb. 1 under EU supervision and Israeli security vetting.
Overview
COGAT said on Jan. 30, 2026 that a pilot to test the Rafah border crossing was underway and that limited two-way movement of Gaza residents on foot is scheduled to begin Feb. 1 under European Union supervision and Israeli security vetting.
The reopening is a key step in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire's second phase that took effect Oct. 10, 2025 and calls for installing a Palestinian administrative committee, deploying an international security force and advancing disarmament, officials said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will allow 50 patients per day to leave Gaza, and an Israeli official speaking on condition of anonymity said each patient may travel with two relatives, officials confirmed.
The Gaza Health Ministry said about 20,000 sick and wounded Palestinians seek treatment abroad, which at Netanyahu's 50-patient-per-day limit would require roughly 400 days to evacuate, the ministry said.
European Union officials said on Jan. 30, 2026 that the pilot's outcome will determine whether the number of daily travelers increases over time.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this coverage neutrally, combining official statements, casualty figures and human voices without strong evaluative language. They cite COGAT's pilot notice, Gaza Health Ministry and Palestinian casualty counts, Israeli military explanations for strikes, Egyptian officials' readiness, and a Gaza resident’s quote — balancing institutional sources and on-the-ground human impact.
Sources (14)
FAQ
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel will allow 50 patients per day to leave Gaza, with each potentially accompanied by two relatives.
The passage is under European Union supervision with Israeli security vetting and pre-approval of all Palestinian passengers; the EU monitors the Palestinian side while Israel maintains oversight.
It is a key step in the ceasefire's second phase, effective from October 10, 2025, which includes installing a Palestinian administrative committee, deploying an international security force, and advancing disarmament.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports about 20,000 sick and wounded Palestinians, including 4,500 children, seek treatment abroad; over 1,200 patients have died waiting since the crossing closed, and at 50 per day it would take roughly 400 days.
The crossing was sealed for nearly two years after Israel bombed it in October 2023 and destroyed it in May 2024; a pilot test occurred on February 1, 2026, with actual pedestrian passage starting February 2.
History
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