Israel reopens Gaza Strip crossing amid new truce push

Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing with Egypt after nearly three weeks to allow some injured Palestinians to leave for treatment after medics in the Gaza Strip said four people were killed in the area in Israeli strikes.

Only eight Palestinians and 17 of their family members injured in Israeli attacks during the two-year war will be allowed to enter Egypt for medical treatment after the crossing reopens on Thursday, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

It was unclear how many people would be allowed to return to the Gaza Strip from Egypt.

Sources had previously told Reuters that the opening of the border was due to recent talks by US President Donald Trump’s “Peace Board” envoys with Hamas officials in Cairo to preserve the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which has been under serious pressure since the US and Israel began bombing Iran.

The crossing reopened in early February after being largely closed since May 2024, in the early months of Israel’s war against Hamas.

Its reopening provided some relief to Palestinians who wanted to leave the area for medical care or to return after fleeing fighting.

While Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip decreased in the days after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Feb. 28, they have since increased again, according to residents, medics and analysts.

Two Israeli airstrikes killed at least four Palestinians and injured others in two separate incidents in Gaza City on Thursday, local health officials said.

There has been no statement from Israel yet.

The region’s health ministry says about 680 people have died from Israeli fire since the October ceasefire.

Israel said four soldiers were killed by militants in the Gaza Strip during the same period.

Israel and Hamas exchanged blame for ceasefire violations.