Egypt's North Sinai raises maximum health alert as Rafah crossing set to open for Gaza wounded

RAFAH – 1 February 2026: The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip is witnessing heightened activity and full-scale preparations as authorities ready the crossing to receive wounded Palestinians from Gaza and provide urgent medical care, Egyptian officials said.

The Rafah crossing has reopened on a “trial basis,” Tel Aviv said on Sunday, after Israeli forces has largely blocked this vital gateway since May 2024, depriving scores of Gazans wounded during the Israeli war to leave for treatment.

The Rafah crossing reopening comes as part of the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt, the US, Qatar and Turkey under a peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump.

The COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of aid in Gaza, said the crossing is being readied ahead of expanded humanitarian movement, with Palestinians expected to be allowed to pass once preparations are complete.

Ali Shaath, the head of the newly formed technocratic Palestinian committee overseeing Gaza’s daily affairs, said the crossing is set to open in both directions starting Monday.

The ERC sends the 126th batch of Gaza humanitarian aid trucks from its ‘Zad Al-Izzah’ convoy on 28 Jan. 2026. Aid convoys from Egypt must pass through the subsidiary gate of the Rafah border crossing in North Sinai and then head toward Israel’s Karm Abu Salem crossing for delivery into the enclave. ERC

In this context, a delegation from international forces has arrived at the Rafah crossing to oversee the reopening process and monitor crossing procedures, according to the officials.

The deployment is part of agreed arrangements to facilitate humanitarian movement, ensure compliance with international standards, and guarantee the smooth flow of people through the crossing.

Coordination is underway between the international forces and relevant authorities at Rafah to streamline procedures and ensure swift handling of incoming cases.

Egyptian authorities have raised readiness levels to the maximum, with administrative, organizational and security teams working around the clock at the crossing, which is set to function as a formal passage point for humanitarian and medical cases.

Maximum Health Alert

A comprehensive plan has been put in place to regulate entry, expedite procedures, and ensure the rapid transfer of the wounded upon arrival, in line with approved health and humanitarian protocols.

Meanwhile, North Sinai’s health sector has declared a state of maximum emergency ahead of the official reopening of the crossing. Hospitals closest to Rafah, including Sheikh Zuweid and Arish General hospitals, have raised their preparedness to receive wounded patients from Gaza.

A detailed deployment plan has been implemented to ensure rapid transport of patients to the two hospitals based on injury severity.

Dozens of ambulances are lined up in the vicinity of the Rafah crossing, fully equipped with modern medical devices and staffed by trained paramedics capable of handling various types of injuries, including critical cases.

The preparations further include extensive logistical arrangements, such as securing routes linking the crossing to hospitals, facilitating ambulance movement, ensuring uninterrupted fuel supplies, and maintaining full readiness of medical infrastructure.