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February 2026 | 18 countries | 80 topics | 1373 sources
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has reopened after nearly two years, allowing limited movement. This occurs amid a shaky ceasefire, ongoing Israeli military strikes, and disputes over humanitarian aid access and war crimes allegations.
In early February 2026, a key development in the Gaza peace process occurred with the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on February 2. This reopening, which followed procedures from a January 2025 agreement, was covered extensively from the region, with reports noting new rules and strict limits on movement. Germany immediately called for more border crossings to open, while European Union officials worked to monitor and expand aid access. Concurrently, diplomatic activity intensified; Egypt's President El-Sisi hosted foreign leaders in Cairo, and Turkish President Erdogan visited Egypt to upgrade relations, with Gaza a central topic. Other regional reactions included the United Arab Emirates denying reports it would take over Gaza's civilian administration while planning a housing compound, and Jordan pushing for a ceasefire and Palestinian statehood in European meetings.
Mid-month, the narrative expanded to include the emerging framework for Gaza's post-war administration and ongoing humanitarian challenges. The US proposed a plan for Hamas to disarm, which Hamas rejected, stating its strategy to keep control of Gaza. Indonesia prepared thousands of troops for a possible peacekeeping mission, a role also pledged by Turkey and Kosovo. This aligned with the formal establishment of the Board of Peace (BoP), an international organization led by the United States and established via UN Security Council Resolution 2803 in November 2025 to oversee the Gaza peace plan. Trump announced the formation of the board in mid-January 2026, and its inaugural meeting was held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in late January. By late February, Trump announced the BoP had secured billions in pledges for Gaza reconstruction. However, several nations, including the Vatican and Italy, declined to join the board, reflecting earlier European concerns about its governance model potentially usurping the UN's role.
Throughout the month, operational tensions persisted despite the ceasefire. Israel reported smuggling risks, investigated smuggling rings, and banned Doctors Without Borders from Gaza over a staff list dispute. Military actions in Gaza and Lebanon continued, and Israel and Hamas traded accusations over ceasefire violations and the use of ambulances and hospitals. The humanitarian crisis during Ramadan was widely reported. Internationally, the story triggered diverse responses: France issued arrest warrants related to aid blockades, the UK criticized Israel's actions, Australia sought charges over killed aid workers, and Germany faced internal criticism over its stance, which spread to cultural institutions like the Berlin Film Festival. By late February, discussions continued on deploying an international force to Gaza, with Egypt supporting the peace plan and urging Israeli withdrawal, while a US diplomat traveled for talks on Iran and Gaza.
A new international body, the Board of Peace, was established in January 2026 to oversee the Gaza peace plan and reconstruction, following a UN Security Council resolution in November 2025. The board, led by the United States and with initial meetings at the World Economic Forum, faced mixed international reception, with some countries pledging troops and funds while others, like the Vatican and Italy, declined to join.
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a critical humanitarian and access point, was reopened in early February 2026 after being closed for extended periods. Its reopening, conducted with strict limits, followed procedures from a January 2025 ceasefire agreement and was a focal point for international efforts to monitor and expand aid access into Gaza.
Amid a fragile ceasefire during Ramadan, Gaza faced a severe humanitarian crisis with limited aid access. International disputes arose over aid delivery, including France issuing arrest warrants related to aid blockades, Israel banning groups like Doctors Without Borders, and reports of high prices and smuggling rings profiting from the situation.
Various countries articulated positions on Gaza's future, with Turkey, Indonesia, and others pledging troops for potential peacekeeping missions, while the UAE denied reports it would take over civilian administration. Concurrently, Trump announced billions in reconstruction pledges through the Board of Peace, even as Hamas rejected a US-led disarmament plan and sought to maintain control.
The conflict triggered international legal actions, including arrest warrants from France and Australia seeking charges over aid worker deaths, alongside UN reports on war crimes allegations. Cultural institutions, particularly in Germany, faced internal crises and protests over their perceived stances on the war.
Gaza faced a humanitarian crisis during Ramadan under a shaky ceasefire, saw the Rafah crossing reopen for limited movement, and Hamas rejected disarmament as a new international 'Board of Peace' held its first meeting with Trump announcing billions for reconstruction.