In a significant humanitarian development, Israel will reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on February 1, 2026, marking the first resumption of civilian passage through this critical transit point since its closure in May 2024. The announcement was made by COGAT, the Israeli agency coordinating civilian policy in Gaza, though specific daily transit quotas for Gaza’s 2 million residents remain undisclosed.
The reopening follows Israel’s recovery of the final Israeli hostage’s remains in Gaza this week, a previously stated precondition for border normalization. The move represents a key implementation phase of President Donald Trump’s ceasefire initiative, building upon the October 2025 truce between Israel and Hamas.
Crossing operations will be strictly regulated, with COGAT emphasizing that “return of residents from Egypt to the Gaza Strip will be permitted, in coordination with Egypt, for residents who left Gaza during the course of the war only, and only after prior security clearance by Israel.” A source familiar with negotiations indicated Israel seeks to limit returning Palestinians to approximately 150 persons daily, though Egypt has not formally agreed to this arrangement.
Notably, the reopening applies exclusively to pedestrian transit while vital humanitarian supplies continue facing restrictions. International Committee of the Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric highlighted the ongoing crisis, stating “Many people in Gaza are still living in the rubble without basic services, struggling to stay warm amid harsh winter conditions.” She urged Israel to ease limitations on dual-use items like water pipes and generators essential for infrastructure restoration.
Israel maintains inspection protocols for Gaza-bound goods, implemented long before the October 2023 conflict, to prevent potential military application of civilian items. The border reopening occurs amid widespread devastation from Israel’s two-year offensive that has left most of Gaza in ruins and displaced nearly its entire population.