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Rafah Crossing Reopens — But Only a Trickle Gets Out

Sunday, February 8, 2026 Maya Sutton | Daily Brief Editor Standard International

After a two‑day closure, Gaza’s Rafah crossing reopened Sunday, allowing only a limited number of Palestinians to travel between Gaza and Egypt. Egyptian state media reported movement in both directions, but UN data shows that in the first four days of reopening, just 36 medical evacuees and 62 companions were allowed out — a fraction of those waiting.
Why it matters: The crossing is a core requirement of the U.S.-backed ceasefire, yet confusion, delays, and inconsistent access are undermining humanitarian relief.

Top Stories

UK Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Resigns Over Mandelson Appointment

Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned Sunday after taking responsibility for advising the PM to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S. despite his Epstein ties. McSweeney said the vetting process “must now be fundamentally overhauled.”

Sources: CNN | MSN

France’s Former Culture Minister Resigns Amid Epstein‑Linked Tax Probe

Jack Lang, former French culture minister and head of the Arab World Institute, resigned after investigators uncovered alleged past financial links to Jeffrey Epstein. Lang denies the allegations but stepped down after being summoned by the Foreign Ministry.

Sources: AP | MSN

Ukraine Faces Deadly Cold With Only 1–2 Hours of Power a Day

Hundreds of thousands in Ukraine — including Kyiv — are facing extreme cold with almost no electricity after sustained Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. Heating shelters powered by generators are being activated as temperatures plunge well below zero.

Sources: CNN | MSN

Reform UK’s Welsh Leader Says His Property Is Being “Weaponised”

Dan Thomas, newly named Welsh leader of Reform UK, says reports questioning whether he actually lives in Wales are “smear attempts.” He insists he resides in Wales despite owning a broader property portfolio.

Sources: BBC | MSN

Quick Hits

  • Netanyahu heads to Washington — with Iran expected to dominate discussions. [Source]
  • France’s Jack Lang becomes the highest‑profile Epstein‑linked figure in France — after DOJ file releases. [Source]
  • UK political fallout deepens — as Starmer faces pressure to explain Mandelson’s appointment. [Source]

What to Watch Today

Gaza’s humanitarian bottleneck: If Rafah continues operating at this pace, medical evacuations will remain dangerously slow. UK political stability: McSweeney’s resignation may not be the last — pressure is mounting on Starmer to explain the Mandelson appointment. Ukraine’s energy crisis: If temperatures drop further, Kyiv may face mass displacement or emergency international intervention. France’s Epstein fallout: Lang’s resignation could trigger a broader wave of scrutiny across French political and cultural institutions.

By The Numbers

36

Palestinians medically evacuated through Rafah in the first four days of reopening.

View Source
62

Companions allowed to cross with them.

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1

UK chief of staff forced out over Epstein‑linked scandal.

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Hundreds of thousands

Ukrainians facing extreme cold with minimal electricity.

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Bottom Line

The world wakes up to a reopened Gaza crossing under chaos, a political earthquake in the UK, a French cultural icon felled by Epstein‑linked investigations, and Ukraine bracing for deadly cold with almost no power. Meanwhile, Reform UK’s Welsh leader is already crying foul ahead of elections.

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