Headlines
Israel Reopens Key Gaza Crossing Amid New Truce Push
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 19, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 19, 2026
Quick Summary
Israel on March 19 reopened the Rafah crossing with Egypt after nearly three weeks to permit medical evacuations amid a fragile ceasefire and rising violence, enabling only a few wounded Palestinians and family members to cross under tight restrictions.
Israel Reopens Rafah Crossing With Egypt as Gaza Truce Faces New Challenges
Key Developments in the Rafah Crossing and Gaza Truce
Reopening of the Rafah Crossing
CAIRO, March 19 (Reuters) - Israel reopened the Rafah crossing with Egypt on Thursday after nearly three weeks to allow some wounded Palestinians to leave for treatment, after Gaza medics said Israeli strikes had killed four people in the enclave.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said only eight Palestinians who were 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 would be let through from Egypt back into Gaza.
Diplomatic Efforts and Negotiations
Sources told Reuters earlier that the border opening resulted from recent talks that envoys from President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" had with Hamas officials in Cairo in an effort to safeguard the Gaza ceasefire, which has been under serious strain since the United States and Israel started bombing Iran.
Background on 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 some relief to Palestinians who want to leave Gaza for medical care, or those who want to return after fleeing the fighting.
Violence and Truce Challenges
Recent Escalation in Gaza
VIOLENCE STAINS TRUCE DEAL
While Israeli attacks in Gaza declined in the days after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, according to residents, medics, and analysts, they have since started to rise again.
Casualties and Ongoing Attacks
On Thursday, two Israeli airstrikes killed at least four Palestinians and wounded some others in two separate incidents in Gaza City, local health officials said. There was no immediate comment from Israel.
The territory's health ministry says that 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.
Blame and Accusations Over Truce Violations
Israel and Hamas have traded blame for truce violations.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Pooja Desai)
Key Takeaways
- •The Rafah crossing resumed limited operations to allow eight injured Gazans and 17 of their relatives into Egypt for medical treatment, reflecting continued humanitarian strain.
- •The reopening follows a February 2026 'pilot phase' under a US‑backed ceasefire plan; access remains severely restricted, with aid still largely blocked.
- •The fragile truce faces growing pressures: Israeli airstrikes have resumed in Gaza, while medical evacuations were halted as of late February due to regional tensions.
- •Prior to this March reopening, between early February and late February over a thousand patients and companions had been evacuated through Rafah, then the crossing was shut when US‑Israel operations began against Iran.
Frequently Asked Questions about Israel reopens key Gaza crossing amid new truce push
1Why did Israel reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt?
Israel reopened the Rafah crossing to allow wounded Palestinians to leave Gaza for medical treatment, after nearly three weeks of closure.
2How many Palestinians were allowed to leave Gaza for treatment?
Eight wounded Palestinians and 17 of their family members were granted permission to enter Egypt for medical care.
3What prompted the reopening of the Rafah crossing?
The reopening followed recent talks between U.S. envoys and Hamas officials, aiming to protect the fragile Gaza ceasefire.
4Has violence continued despite the truce?
Yes, Israeli strikes have resumed in Gaza, with at least four Palestinians killed, indicating ongoing tensions despite the ceasefire.
5How many people have been killed in Gaza since the October ceasefire?
Nearly 680 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the agreed ceasefire in October.
