Overview
- Israel confirmed a limited restart of the Gaza–Egypt Rafah crossing on February 2 for people movement after a February 1 test run it called successful.
- Initial passages prioritized medical evacuations, with reports indicating about 50 patients and their companions preparing to leave and a similar number slated to enter.
- The crossing remains restricted to residents with permissions, and there is no timetable for resuming large-scale aid shipments through Rafah.
- WHO estimates more than 18,000 Gazans need treatment outside the territory, and local authorities say roughly 20,000 critically ill residents are seeking evacuation.
- The reopening follows renewed Israeli strikes reported on January 31 that killed at least 31 people, with Gaza health authorities citing 509 deaths since the October ceasefire and 71,769 since October 2023.