Dozens of Palestinians were expected to leave or return to Gaza on Monday (February 2) after Israel reopened the sole pedestrian crossing to Egypt, a major step in the ceasefire intended to end the war.

The Rafah crossing reopened with strict limitations on access, after it was largely shut for almost two years.

The crossing in Rafah, once a city of a quarter of a million people that Israel has since completely demolished and depopulated, is the sole route in or out for nearly all of Gaza's more than 2 million residents.

A video showed Red Crescent volunteers helping people to get on vehicles parked near the crossing which was largely shut for most of the war.

Reopening it to allow access to the outside world was one of the last major steps required under the initial phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire reached in October.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: RAFAH, EGYPT (FEBRUARY 2, 2026) (AL QAHERA NEWS - No use Egypt)

1. VANS PARKED AT GAZA'S MAIN PEDESTRIAN BORDER CROSSING IN RAFAH

2. PEOPLE WITH LUGGAGE WAITING TO GET ONBOARD

3. RED CRESCENT VOLUNTEERS HELPING MOTHERS WITH KIDS TO GET ON VEHICLE

4. WHITE FLASH

5. RED CRESCENT VOLUNTEERS HELPING MOTHERS WITH KIDS TO GET ON VEHICLE

6. WHITE FLASH

7. RED CRESCENT VOLUNTEERS HELPING PEOPLE ON WHEELCHAIRS TO GET ON VEHICLE

8. PARKED VANS