Rafah Border Crossing Reopened: Sick and Wounded Palestinians Cross into Egypt for Treatment

Following a ceasefire agreement, the Rafah crossing has reopened, facilitating the journey of 37 sick and wounded Palestinians, primarily children, toward medical treatment in Egypt. Families express relief and hope, yet the ongoing humanitarian crisis looms as thousands still await care.

In a significant development following months of closure, the Rafah border crossing has reopened, enabling 37 sick and wounded Palestinians to leave Gaza for urgent medical treatment in Egypt. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that among the evacuees were 34 children and three adults, accompanied by 39 family members. The crossing had been shut since Israeli forces took control of the Gaza segment in May of the previous year, and its reopening is a result of a ceasefire and hostage agreement between Hamas and Israel.

Footage captured at the border revealed the poignant scene of Palestinian children on stretchers being transported in ambulances as they crossed into Egypt. "We have been waiting for this day impatiently," expressed Mai Khader Abdul Ghani, whose son is suffering from a rare autoimmune disease and was recently placed in intensive care at Gaza's Nasser Hospital. “Thank God that his name was included in the referral for treatment. I hope that his suffering comes to an end after receiving the appropriate treatment,” she spoke with relief.

Among those making the crossing was Mohammed Abu Jalala, who accompanied his niece Lara, who faced severe injuries to her feet following a bombing that tragically took the lives of her parents and brothers. "One foot was so badly damaged that it had to be amputated. We tried to avoid the amputation, but it had to be performed as the foot had gangrene in the bone," he recounted solemnly.

Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative for the area, described the evacuation as “orderly” and “slow,” indicating that patients were being transported gradually, prioritizing non-walking patients. He highlighted that approximately 14,000 individuals in need of medical treatment remain in Gaza, with half of them suffering from war-related injuries, including amputations and burn injuries, alongside a substantial number of chronic disease cases.

The European Union also announced the deployment of a monitoring mission at the Rafah crossing, intended to assist Palestinian personnel in managing the transfer of individuals requiring medical attention. More than 47,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives due to Israel's military action in Gaza, with a significant number of those fatalities linked to the recent escalation of conflict that began with a Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Rafah crossing, located at the southernmost point of Gaza, is one of only three exits from the territory, alongside Erez and Kerem Shalom. The reopening of this vital crossing represents a glimmer of hope amidst ongoing humanitarian challenges, though many remain isolated and in desperate need of assistance.