Rafah, Egypt. Israel reopened the Rafah crossing with Egypt on Thursday after nearly three weeks, allowing some wounded Palestinians to leave Gaza for medical treatment. Gaza medics said Israeli strikes killed four people in the enclave on the same day.
Limited departures approved
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said eight Palestinians injured in Israeli attacks during the two-year war and 17 of their family members would be allowed into Egypt for medical treatment after the crossing reopened on Thursday. It was unclear how many people would be allowed to return from Egypt to Gaza.
Sources cite Cairo talks
Sources told Reuters earlier that the border opening resulted from recent talks that envoys from President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” held with Hamas officials in Cairo, aimed at safeguarding the Gaza ceasefire, which has been under serious strain since the United States and Israel started bombing Iran.
Crossing history and humanitarian access
The Rafah crossing had reopened in early February after being largely shut since May 2024, in the early months of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Its reopening provided some relief to Palestinians seeking medical care outside Gaza or those trying to return after fleeing the fighting.
Renewed rise in attacks reported
Residents, medics, and analysts said Israeli attacks in Gaza declined in the days after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, but have since started to rise again. On Thursday, two Israeli airstrikes killed at least four Palestinians and wounded others in two separate incidents in Gaza City, local health officials said, adding there was no immediate comment from Israel.
Ceasefire toll and blame
Gaza’s health ministry said nearly 680 people have been killed by Israeli fire since the October ceasefire. Israel said four soldiers were killed by militants in Gaza in the same period. Israel and Hamas have traded blame for truce violations.
What impact do you think the limited reopening of the Rafah crossing will have on access to medical care for Palestinians in Gaza?
