Israel reopens Rafah crossing as more than 20,000 await treatment in Gaza
Injured patients can leave Gaza as Rafah crossing reopens
- Israel has reopened Gaza’s Rafah crossing for limited movement of Palestinians, marking the first time since May 2024 when the Israeli military seized control.
- The crossing permits 50 injured patients, accompanied by two relatives, to leave at a time; more than 20,000 are people awaiting medical treatment.
- This limited reopening is part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, led by US president Donald Trump, and constitutes the second stage of the deal.
- The United Nations and aid organisations, including Save the Children, are calling for unfettered movement for Palestinians and unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid.
- Israel recently banned Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF), accusing the medical aid group of being part of “military infrastructure” that “shields terrorism”, a claim that MSF denies.
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