15 patients evacuated from Gaza as Rafah crossing remains restricted

A group of 15 Palestinian patients and 31 accompanying individuals were evacuated from the Gaza Strip to Egypt on Wednesday via the Rafah border crossing, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. The movement occurred on the third day of the terminal's highly restricted reopening, which is being managed under tight Israeli security controls since its military occupation of the crossing in May 2024.

Coordinated evacuation amid interruptions

Raed al-Nems, a spokesperson for the Red Crescent, stated the evacuation was part of ongoing humanitarian efforts to secure urgent external medical treatment. He noted that coordination for patient travel was abruptly suspended earlier in the day before resuming following intervention from the World Health Organization (WHO). Patients were gathered at a Red Crescent rehabilitation hospital in Khan Younis, received preliminary care, and were then transported by ambulance to the crossing.

Severe humanitarian backlog and crossing rules

Gaza health authorities estimate that approximately 22,000 sick and wounded patients require treatment abroad due to the near-total collapse of the territory's healthcare system. While initial reports suggested up to 50 people might be allowed to cross daily in each direction, the actual numbers have been far lower. Israel permits only Palestinians who left Gaza after the war began to return, and only after intensive security screening. Egyptian media reported a third group of Palestinians waiting on its side of the border, but details on their entry into Gaza were unclear.

Context of ceasefire violations and destruction

The limited border activity occurs within a fragile ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, which Israel has repeatedly violated. The ceasefire ended a two-year Israeli offensive that began in October 2023, resulting in nearly 72,000 Palestinian fatalities, over 171,000 injuries, and the destruction of roughly 90% of Gaza's infrastructure. A second phase of the truce, announced by the U.S. in January and meant to include further Israeli withdrawals and a $70 billion UN-led reconstruction, has failed to materialize fully, leaving humanitarian conditions dire.