New batch of Palestinians returns to Gaza through Rafah border crossing with Egypt

CAIRO – 22 February 2026: A new group of Palestinians arrived at the Rafah border crossing on Sunday from the Egyptian side, preparing to return to the Gaza Strip, according to Al Qahera News.

The group included women, children, and elderly individuals. Teams from the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) were deployed at the crossing to facilitate their return in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The Egyptian Red Crescent has maintained a presence at the border since the start of the crisis. The Rafah crossing has remained open from the Egyptian side, allowing ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts to support the Palestinian people.

On February 19, 2026, the ERC has launched the “Hilal Al Kheir” [Crescent of Goodness in English] campaign to support vulnerable Egyptian families and the people of Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan.

The “Humanitarian Kitchen” continues providing daily hot Iftar meals to travelers in the cities of Arish, Rafah, and Sheikh Zuweid in North Sinai.

Additionally, the mobile kitchen at the Rafah border crossing also offers Iftar [breakfasting] and Suhoor [pre-fasting] meals to arriving and departing patients, the injured, and their companions from among our Palestinian brothers and sisters.

The campaign further includes providing Iftar for one million fasting individuals in the Gaza Strip through the preparation and distribution of one million hot meals via the “Zad Al-Izza Ramadan Kitchen.”