Gaza border crossing buzzes with exercise after years of near-complete closure : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5192x3462+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2Fb5%2F80929f094f419796d2b3b19f28e6%2Fap26032251036058.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5192x3462+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2Fb5%2F80929f094f419796d2b3b19f28e6%2Fap26032251036058.jpg" class="img" alt="Ambulances line up to enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing on the way to the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026." fetchpriority="high"/> Ambulances line as much as enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing on the best way to the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Mohammed Arafat/AP cover caption

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Mohammed Arafat/AP CAIRO — Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt was busy with exercise Sunday as Israel mentioned that restricted journey to and from the territory is about to renew after years of near-complete isolation. Reopening the border crossing is a key step because the Israel-Hamas ceasefire strikes forward.

Israel introduced Sunday that the crossing has opened in a take a look at. COGAT, the Israeli army company that controls help to Gaza, mentioned in an announcement that the crossing was actively being ready for fuller operation, including that residents of Gaza would start to go via the crossing as soon as preparations had been full.

Palestinian safety officers handed via the crossing's Egyptian gate and headed towards the Palestinian gate to affix an EU mission that will probably be supervising exit and entry, mentioned an Egyptian official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he wasn't licensed to speak to the media. Ambulances additionally crossed via the Egyptian gate, the official added.

The pinnacle of the brand new Palestinian administrative committee governing Gaza's each day affairs has mentioned journey in each instructions would begin Monday.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3340x2226+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F33%2Ff1%2F579d54fc4f1894164efbf54e500b%2Fap26032256758307.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3340x2226+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F33%2Ff1%2F579d54fc4f1894164efbf54e500b%2Fap26032256758307.jpg" class="img" alt="Trucks carrying humanitarian aids line up to enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing, heading for inspection by Israeli authorities before entering the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026." loading="lazy"/> Vans carrying humanitarian aids line as much as enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing, heading for inspection by Israeli authorities earlier than getting into the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Mohammed Arafat/AP cover caption

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Mohammed Arafat/AP Rafah, which Palestinians see as their gateway to the world, has been largely shut because it was seized by Israel in Could 2024.

Few folks will probably be allowed at first, and no items allowed to cross. About 20,000 Palestinian youngsters and adults needing medical care are hoping to go away war-devastated Gaza through the crossing, and 1000's of different Palestinians exterior the territory hope to return residence.

Zaher al-Wahidi, head of the Well being Ministry's documentation division in Gaza, instructed The Related Press that the ministry hasn't but been notified in regards to the begin of medical evacuations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mentioned Israel will permit 50 sufferers a day to go away. An official concerned within the discussions, talking on situation of anonymity to debate the diplomatic talks, mentioned every affected person can be allowed to journey with two relations, whereas some 50 individuals who left Gaza throughout the warfare can be allowed to return every day.

Israel has mentioned it and Egypt will vet folks for exit and entry via the crossing, which will probably be supervised by European Union border patrol brokers. The variety of vacationers is predicted to extend over time if the system is profitable.

Israeli troops seized and closed the Rafah crossing in Could 2024, calling it a part of efforts to fight Hamas arms smuggling. The crossing was briefly opened for the evacuation of medical sufferers throughout a ceasefire in early 2025. Israel had resisted reopening the Rafah crossing, however the restoration of the stays of the final hostage in Gaza final week cleared the best way to maneuver ahead.

The reopening is a key step as final 12 months's U.S.-brokered ceasefire settlement, which took impact on Oct. 10, strikes into its second part.

Earlier than the warfare, Rafah was the principle crossing for folks shifting out and in of Gaza. Though Gaza has 4 different border crossings, they're shared with Israel. Underneath the ceasefire phrases, Israel's army controls the world between the Rafah crossing and the zone the place most Palestinians dwell.

Fearing that Israeli might use the crossing to push Palestinians out of the enclave, Egypt has repeatedly mentioned it should be open for each entry to and exit from Gaza. Traditionally, Israel and Egypt have vetted Palestinians making use of to cross.

The present ceasefire halted greater than two years of warfare between Israel and Hamas that started with a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The truce's first part known as for the trade of all hostages held in Gaza for tons of of Palestinians held by Israel, a rise in badly wanted humanitarian help and a partial pullback of Israeli troops.

The second part is extra difficult. It requires putting in a brand new Palestinian committee to control Gaza, deploying a global safety power, disarming Hamas, and taking steps to start rebuilding.