Following eight months of closure, the Rafah border crossing reopened, enabling 37 sick and wounded Palestinians to seek medical treatment in Egypt. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the evacuees included 34 children and three adults, accompanied by 39 family members. This significant development came as part of a ceasefire agreement and hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel, which saw the border reestablished after Israeli forces took control of the Gaza side in May 2022.
Videos captured at the crossing revealed scenes of Palestinian children being transported on stretchers and in ambulances. "We've been waiting for this day with great longing," shared Mai Khader Abdul Ghani, whose son, suffering from a rare autoimmune disease, has endured severe pain for the past three months at Nasser Hospital in Gaza. "Thank God his name was included for the treatment referral," she expressed, hoping for an end to her son's suffering upon receiving the necessary care.
Another evacuee, Mohammed Abu Jalala, described his niece's grave injuries, which resulted from bombings that claimed her parents and siblings. "The situation was dire; one of her feet had to be amputated due to gangrene," he stated, adding that she requires ongoing treatment for the remaining injuries.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative for the West Bank and Gaza, remarked on the evacuation process, describing it as "orderly" and "slow," with ambulances conducting individual transports of non-walking patients first, followed by those able to walk. He estimated there are about 14,000 individuals needing medical treatment unavailable in Gaza, half of whom have war-related injuries, including amputations and spinal injuries, while the other half suffer from chronic illnesses. Notably, he projected that around 5,000 of these patients are children.
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, noted the deployment of a monitoring mission at the Rafah crossing to assist Palestinian border personnel and facilitate the safe transfer of individuals, including those requiring medical attention.
Rafah is the southernmost exit from Gaza, with only two other crossings available: Erez, connecting to Israel, and Kerem Shalom, a commercial goods route. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of over 47,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, following a military offensive that erupted after Hamas's assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties and hostage situations.
The Rafah reopening coincided with Israel and Hamas executing their fourth hostage release and prisoner swap since a ceasefire was established on January 19, involving the release of 183 Palestinian detainees in return for three Israeli hostages.
