Israel Blocks Patients from Gaza Strip to Travel via Rafah Crossing

Illustration of an ambulance during evacuation from Gaza to Egypt via Rafah. (Twitter/@PalestineRCS)

Israeli occupation authorities blocked patients and injured individuals from traveling through the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza on Wednesday, after the World Health Organization (WHO) informed them of the cancellation of the third group travel arrangement.

Raed al-Nims, spokesman for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, told WAFA, the WHO office informed them of the cancellation, although all procedures had been completed and patients had been prepared at the Red Crescent Hospital in Khan Younis.

"This surprised the authorities and the patients themselves," he said, quoted by WAFA (4/2).

Furthermore, he explained, since Monday, only 50 patients and injured individuals, including their companions, have departed.

Seven patients and their companions departed on the first day, and another 16 departed on the second day, all within 48 hours.

Al-Nims pointed out that this cancellation occurred in the context of delays and obstruction of patients' travel by the occupation, despite the urgent need for treatment outside the Gaza Strip, noting that about 18,500 patients and injured individuals need treatment abroad.

Previously, the World Health Organization (WHO) said more than 18,500 patients in the Gaza Strip needed specialized medical care that was not available in the Palestinian enclave.

"More than 18,500 patients in Gaza still need specialized medical care that is not available inside the Gaza Strip," tweeted WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus on X.

Tedros said that "the Gaza health system is in dire need of rehabilitation and reconstruction to reduce dependence on medical evacuations," noting that "this is now a top priority."

The WHO chief stressed the need for "rapid improvement of health services in Gaza, including increased medical supplies, rehabilitation of damaged facilities, and expansion of essential services to build a resilient and sustainable health system."