Rafah Crossing begins testing with new Egyptian name requirements

2026-02-15 06:16:34

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On February 1st, pilot operations began at the Rafah crossing, the most critical border point between Gaza and Egypt. According to Jin10 reports, this strategic checkpoint is implementing new procedures that include specific requirements regarding Egyptian names for travelers. A multinational oversight team—composed of Egyptian officials, EU observers, and Israeli authorities—was stationed in the area to ensure that technical systems and security protocols function properly during the transition phase.

Trial operations before full reopening

The temporary closure of the crossing has been one of the main humanitarian bottlenecks in the region. The tests conducted on February 1st represent a preliminary step toward the scheduled full reopening on February 2nd, when bidirectional pedestrian traffic will be allowed. During this trial phase, only a limited number of individuals participated in system validation exercises, prioritizing security over volume capacity.

Identification requirements: new procedures with names

The implementation of new security standards includes specific measures to document applicants’ identities. Travelers interested in crossing the border must register their full names at least 24 hours before the planned transit. This name requirement is especially strict for Egyptian citizens and other travelers from the region, as part of the identity verification protocol remotely supervised by Israeli authorities.

Remote verification and security system adjustments

The joint oversight team focused on refining access control mechanisms and remote documentation review. Israeli security officials perform remote verifications of each applicant using the previously provided names and additional identification data. The adjustments made to the security system during these trial operations aim to balance transit efficiency with strict verification protocols, ensuring that the crossing can be safely reopened for full pedestrian flow starting February 2nd.

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