Hopes rise in Gaza ahead of expected reopening of Rafah border crossing with Egypt скачать в хорошем качестве

Hopes rise in Gaza ahead of expected reopening of Rafah border crossing with Egypt

(1 Feb 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Khan Younis, Southern Gaza Strip – 1 February 2026 1. Various of people walking in the street 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Jihad al-Arja, displaced from Rafah: “We hear on the news that, God willing, the crossing will open today on a trial basis, and tomorrow it will officially open. We hope things will go smoothly (interrupted by child screaming in Arabic: 'God willing'!) and that the entry and exit of travelers will be easy, because there are a large number of sick and elderly people here who are suffering due to illnesses and need treatment and travel to Egypt or abroad.” 3. Children playing in ruins 4. Wide of tents inside school, displaced people using it as shelter 5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ghalia Abu Mustafa, displaced Palestinian: “In general, opening the crossing is a good step, but they set a limit on the number of people allowed to cross, and this is a problem. There are many people who want to travel—not to emigrate — but rather because they are students or want ro return to their jobs, people who need treatment, and people who want a change of scenery. So, when they set this limit, it creates difficulties for people. If they increased the number and it was like before (the war), allowing people to freely come and go, it would be better for the country, the citizens, and the entire population.” 6. Various of people in the street 7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hani al-Masri, displaced Palestinian from Beit Hanoun: ”God willing, the opening will be for the best, because we really need the (Rafah) crossing to open. There are many ill people, including my family, my father and mother. We demand that the crossing be officially opened. Because we need it to evacuate thoe who need treatment.” 8. Various of people in the street 9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Suhaila al-Astal, displaced Palestinian from Rafah: “We are not happy with the crossing being open in such a way. We want a large number of people to be able to leave, for it to be open so that ill people can come and go. I have a daughter in needs of treatment, and I appealed to all the doctors, but no one is helping me. My daughter is on the verge of death, and no one is helping me because of the closure of the crossings. We want the crossing to be open permanently.” 10. Various of people walking in the street 11. Various wides of tent camp, rubble STORYLINE: After months of isolation, hopes are rising in Gaza ahead of the expected reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Monday, a key part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. On the streets of the southern city of Khan Younis on Sunday, people followed the news of the possible reopening with cautious optimism, aware that the crossing will initially allow only a limited number of travelers and no goods. Jihad Al-Arja, displaced Palestinian from Rafah, said he hopes that reopening will go as smoothly as possible. For Palestinians, Rafah is widely seen as Gaza’s only gateway to the outside world. It has been largely shut since it was seized by Israel in May 2024, trapping patients, students and families on both sides of the border. Under the current arrangements, only a small number of people will be allowed to cross at first, leaving thousands waiting. About 20,000 Palestinian children and adults in need of medical care are hoping to leave Gaza, while thousands of others outside the territory are seeking to return. “Opening the crossing is a good step, but they set a limit on the number of people allowed to cross, and this is a problem,” Ghalia Abu Mustafa, a woman from Khan Younis, said. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...