Rafah border crossing opens with lackluster performance in the first week, with passenger numbers falling short of expectations

ChainDoctor · 2026-02-26T12:11:46+00:00

The Rafah border crossing has reopened at a critical moment to facilitate humanitarian needs between Gaza and Egypt. However, since its reopening, only 1,148 people have passed through, which is about one-third of the expected number, reflecting multiple practical obstacles such as screening procedures, strict security checks, and public safety concerns, all of which have affected the effectiveness of the crossing.

ChainDoctor

2026-02-26 12:11:46

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Rafah border crossing is an important gateway between southern Gaza and Egypt, reopened at a critical moment. However, according to RTHK (Radio Television Hong Kong), the actual traffic through the channel is far below initial estimates. Data released by Palestinian authorities show that from early February until the 18th, only 1,148 people have passed through Rafah, about one-third of the originally expected number.

Rafah Crossing: Reopening of a Humanitarian Corridor

According to the ceasefire agreement, Rafah was reopened in early February to provide a passage for stranded civilians. Palestinian authorities stated that the channel should allow 50 Palestinians to return to Gaza daily, and permit 50 Gaza patients and two accompanying persons to travel to Egypt for medical treatment each day. This arrangement reflects considerations for humanitarian needs.

Actual Traffic Data vs. Expectations: A Significant Gap

Two weeks of specific statistics reveal the harsh reality. According to Palestinian authorities, of the 1,148 people who passed through Rafah, 640 left Gaza, 508 returned to Gaza, and 26 were denied passage for undisclosed reasons. This means an average of only about 50 people per day, far below the protocol’s standard of 100 people daily.

Challenges Facing the Rafah Crossing

The much lower-than-expected traffic reflects multiple real-world obstacles. Whether it’s cumbersome screening procedures, strict security checks, or public concerns about safety, these factors may cause the actual number of travelers to fall far short of expectations. Although the Rafah crossing is open, it has not become the smooth humanitarian rescue hub anticipated, and this dilemma may persist for a long time.

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