Egyptian Authorities Receive 50 Gaza Patients Via Rafah Crossing

Egyptian authorities received 50 injured and sick Palestinians from Gaza through the Rafah crossing, along with 84 companions, for medical treatment on February 2nd, 2026. Patients were transferred to hospitals in North Sinai, primarily in Al-Arish, where emergency services and intensive care units were placed on high alert. Medical and administrative authorities were mobilised, with ambulances stationed at the crossing to transport cases upon arrival.

North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer said the arrivals mark the start of the second phase of the Rafah crossing operation agreement, under which Egypt will receive injured Palestinians and patients with chronic illnesses aggravated by medicine shortages in Gaza.

Rafah resumed operations from the Palestinian side for the first time since May 2024 following a trial run on February 1st, 2026, linked to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.

The current phase allows for the entry of 50 medical cases per day, with one to two companions per patient, and the governorate is overseeing logistical arrangements for humanitarian aid deliveries and medical evacuations. Patients initially gathered at the Karm Abu Salem crossing before moving to the Palestinian side of Rafah and then into Egypt.

According to official figures, more than 8,000 Palestinian patients have been treated in Egyptian hospitals since October 2023, including over 5,000 surgical cases. Egypt has also delivered more than 45,000 trucks carrying over 800,000 tonnes of humanitarian and relief supplies to Gaza, representing around 70% of all aid sent to the strip.