From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 5, 2026
25 Gazans passed through Rafah Crossing in each direction yesterday, EU official says
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Twenty-five pedestrians went through the Rafah Crossing in each direction yesterday, a European Union official tells The Times of Israel.
The 25 Gazans who crossed into Egypt include patients and their family members, says the official.
It is unclear how many people were refused passage.
Monday was the first day of a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing, a move hailed by Palestinians and international organizations as a milestone in the Gaza ceasefire.
But the number of people who actually cross the border on a daily basis is significantly lower than the number permitted, which was set at 50 per day into the Strip and up to 150 people leaving it and entering Egypt — 50 medical patients, each with up to two companions.
All Gazan Palestinians seeking to enter or leave the Strip are required to receive Egyptian approval, with Egypt sending the names to Israel’s Shin Bet domestic security service for clearance.
Israel is supervising the exit of Gazans to Egypt remotely. From a control room, Israeli officers, using facial recognition software, verify that those leaving the Strip are on the list of approved names and open a gate at the crossing to allow them through.
The Times of Israel Community.