Gaza Herald – Health officials are warning of a deepening humanitarian crisis for patients in the Gaza Strip as the intermittent closure of the Rafah Crossing continues to block access to life-saving treatment abroad.
Raed Al-Nams, spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Gaza, said the limited and irregular opening of the crossing has significantly increased risks to the lives of patients and the wounded, as the number of those allowed to leave falls far short of urgent medical needs.
He explained that cases approved for travel are selected through coordination between the Gaza Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, based on medical urgency. However, approvals remain tightly restricted, with Israeli authorities controlling the number of patients permitted to exit, often based on their own criteria.
Al-Nams described these restrictions as unacceptable given the escalating humanitarian situation and the growing number of critical cases requiring urgent care outside Gaza.
Medical evacuations have been completely halted since Monday following the full closure of the Rafah Crossing by Israeli authorities. The Palestinian General Authority for Crossings and Borders confirmed that the decision has stopped all travel, including for humanitarian cases such as the sick and injured listed for evacuation.
According to official figures, more than 22,000 patients and wounded Palestinians in Gaza urgently need to travel abroad for treatment. Of those, around 19,000 have already completed all necessary medical and legal procedures and are now waiting for permission to cross.
Health officials warn that continued closure could lead to preventable deaths, as Gaza’s healthcare system remains severely strained and unable to provide many forms of specialized treatment.
