Gaza City, Palestinian territories. 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.
Limited medical departures via Rafah
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said only eight Palestinians injured in Israeli attacks during the two-year war, along with 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 permitted to enter Gaza from Egypt.
Talks in Cairo and ceasefire strain
Sources told Reuters earlier that the border opening followed recent talks in Cairo between envoys from President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” and Hamas officials aimed at safeguarding the Gaza ceasefire.
The ceasefire has been under serious strain since the United States and Israel started bombing Iran, according to the report.
Background to the crossing’s status
The 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 offered relief for Palestinians seeking medical care outside Gaza, as well as for those returning after fleeing the fighting.
Renewed rise in attacks and latest deaths
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. There was no immediate comment from Israel.
Casualty figures and truce allegations
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 over 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 Gaza residents?