Gaza’s Rafah crossing, a crucial entry and exit point, has recently reopened after eight months, enabling sick and injured Palestinians to cross into Egypt for medical attention. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, fifty patients made the journey to seek treatment, which included children battling cancer.
The crossing had been shuttered since May, following Israeli forces' takeover of the Gaza side. Its reopening is a critical component of a ceasefire agreement and hostage negotiations between Hamas and Israel. Footage captured at the site depicts the heartbreaking scenes of evacuees, featuring children on stretchers being transported to ambulances.
"We have been longing for this day," expressed Mai Khader Abdul Ghani, who accompanied her son, Moatasem Billah Rami Nabil Sammour, suffering from a rare autoimmune disorder. She detailed her son's harrowing condition, which had necessitated intensive care at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital and faced profound pain for months. "Thank God that his name was included for treatment. I hope he can finally receive the care he urgently needs," she added, highlighting the challenges posed by the lack of available treatment in Gaza.
Mohammed Abu Jalala shared a similar story regarding his niece, Lara Abu Jalala, who endured severe injuries from a bombing that claimed her parent's life along with three siblings. "One foot had to be amputated due to gangrene, and now the remaining foot requires further treatment," he lamented.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, representing the World Health Organization (WHO) for the West Bank and Gaza, referred to the evacuation process as "orderly" and "slow," noting that patients are being prioritized based on their mobility before being transferred to the Egyptian side. Estimates indicate that around 14,000 individuals in Gaza require medical treatment not available within its confines, with many suffering from war-related injuries and chronic diseases, and approximately 5,000 of them are expected to be children.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, announced the deployment of a monitoring mission at the Rafah crossing to assist Palestinian border personnel, ensuring the safe transfer of individuals requiring medical care.
Rafah is the southernmost crossing from Gaza, alongside Erez - which allows for civilian crossings into Israel - and Kerem Shalom, used solely for goods. Recent reports suggest that over 47,000 Palestinians have died as a result of ongoing military operations, following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, which saw around 1,200 deaths and kidnappings.
The reopening of Rafah aligns with the recent release of hostages and prisoners as part of ongoing negotiations, with Israel releasing 183 Palestinian detainees in exchange for three Israeli hostages.
