On February 1, 2025, the Rafah crossing reopened for the first time in months, allowing 50 sick and wounded Palestinian children to cross into Egypt for medical treatment. This significant development followed Hamas's release of three Israeli hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners, furthering the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The Rafah crossing had been closed since May 2024, and this reopening signals a potential increase in similar medical evacuations, with over 12,000 patients in Gaza urgently needing treatment. Negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire are expected to begin shortly, focusing on a permanent ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal.