Gaza's crucial Rafah crossing prepares for limited travel to resume on February 2

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has reopened for limited travel as part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement. Israel announced that the crossing would be operational starting February 2, allowing a small number of Palestinians to cross on foot. The Israeli military agency that controls aid to Gaza, COGAT, confirmed that movement of individuals would commence, although only a limited number of people would be allowed to cross initially (Primary Source, Google News). On the first day of its reopening, reports indicated that only 12 Palestinians entered Gaza through Rafah, while five patients and their escorts were permitted to leave for Egypt. Gaza's health ministry noted that approximately 20,000 individuals are currently waiting to leave for medical care. Despite the reopening, access remains highly restricted, and Israel continues to control the Palestinian side of the crossing. Humanitarian aid flows into Gaza are still extremely limited, with no indication of a significant increase in aid supplies (Google News, Al Jazeera). The reopening of the Rafah crossing is significant in the context of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where many residents are in urgent need of medical evacuation and support. The crossing has been under Israeli control since May 2024, aimed at curbing Hamas's ability to smuggle weapons. This situation reflects the complex interplay between security concerns and humanitarian needs in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (The Guardian, haaretz.com). While the reopening provides a rare opportunity for some Palestinians, including patients and displaced families, it does not fully address the broader humanitarian needs of the population. The situation remains precarious, emphasizing the fragile nature of peace efforts and the ongoing challenges faced by those in Gaza (Google News, Al Jazeera).