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Israel Prepares Limited Opening of Rafah Crossing Amid Condemnation Over Gaza Deaths
Israel announced plans to open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt in a limited pilot phase on Monday, February 2, 2026, as international condemnation grew over recent deaths in Gaza. The move came after a weekend of Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 30 Gazans, according to Sky News.
COGAT, the Israeli military agency controlling aid to Gaza, stated the crossing would reopen in both directions for Gaza residents on foot only. The operation would be coordinated with Egypt and the European Union, Al Jazeera reported. Thousands of sick and wounded Palestinians were waiting for urgent medical care abroad.
The decision followed strong condemnation from a group of eight Islamic countries, who accused Israel of "repeated violations" of the Gaza ceasefire, Sky News reported. Tensions in the region remained high, with concerns also focused on Iran.
Meanwhile, in Iran, protester Erfan Soltani, who had been detained during protests on January 8, was released on bail, according to Sky News, citing Kurdish and Iranian human rights organization Hengaw and Iranian state media, ISNA. Soltani's family had previously been told he faced the death penalty.
In a separate development, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope for a deal with Iran, despite Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's warning of a potential "regional conflict" if the U.S. attacked, Sky News reported. Asked about Khamenei's remarks, Trump responded, "Why wouldn't he say that? Of course, he could say that."
Adding to the international developments, a major search was underway in Victoria, Australia, for fugitive Dezi Freeman. Police "strongly" believed Freeman would not be found alive, The Guardian reported. More than 100 police and volunteers, along with a police cadaver dog, were involved in a five-day search of Mount Buffalo National Park, near Porepunkah. Police suspected Freeman died only hours after he allegedly killed two officers and fled into bushland.
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