Gaza Patients Escape as World Burns: War Laws Crumble

Limited Number of Sick and Wounded Palestinians Allowed Through Rafah Crossing

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt partially reopened, but on the first day, only a small number of sick and wounded Palestinians were permitted to leave Gaza for medical treatment, according to The Guardian and Al Jazeera. On Monday, February 2, 2026, only five patients were allowed to exit Gaza via the crossing, while hundreds, if not thousands, were forced to wait, Al Jazeera reported.

The reopening of the Rafah border post came after fragile diplomatic efforts to stabilize the conflict, The Guardian noted. The total number of people entering and leaving Gaza on the first day was 27, according to The Guardian.

Mohammed Abu Mostafa, along with his mother Randa, was one of the five Palestinians allowed to leave Gaza via Rafah for treatment on Monday, Al Jazeera reported.

International Law at Breaking Point

In other news, an authoritative survey of 23 armed conflicts over the last 18 months has concluded that international law seeking to limit the effects of war is at breaking point, The Guardian reported. The study by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights found that more than 100,000 civilians have been killed, while torture and rape are committed with near impunity.

Cyclone Fytia Hits Madagascar

Meanwhile, in Madagascar, at least three people have died and nearly 30,000 people have been affected by flooding after Tropical Cyclone Fytia hit over the weekend, The Guardian reported. The storm, the first tropical storm of the season, may bring 150mm of rain, and it is estimated that more than 40,000 homes could be flooded over the next few days, according to The Guardian.

Pantanal Wildfires

Lalo de Almeida, a documentary photographer based in São Paulo, Brazil, has documented the South American wetland as it faces unprecedented threat, The Guardian reported. In 2021, his photo essay "Pantanal Ablaze" was awarded first place in the environment stories category at the World Press Photo contest.