Gaza Herald – Israeli forces canceled coordination for the travel of a third group of patients from Gaza through the Rafah crossing. This move further deepened the medical crisis and underscored Israel’s continued control over civilian movement, Palestinian officials said.
The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed it had been officially informed that Israeli authorities revoked permission for patients and wounded individuals scheduled to leave Gaza for treatment abroad. The decision came without warning, despite prior arrangements with relevant parties.
Meanwhile, 40 Palestinians managed to return to Gaza early Wednesday after prolonged delays, amid what witnesses described as severe Israeli-imposed obstacles at Rafah, including extended interrogations, intrusive searches, and movement restrictions that compounded humanitarian suffering.
Rafah was partially reopened on February 2, the first time in nearly two years, under strict Israeli conditions. While initial understandings allowed for 50 people to return to Gaza and 50 patients to exit daily, actual figures fell far short, with only 12 returnees and eight patients allowed through on the first day.
Hamas described the treatment of returnees and patients as a “crime of abuse,” urging mediators and guarantor states to intervene immediately. Health officials warned that roughly 20,000 patients in Gaza require urgent treatment unavailable inside the enclave, as international agencies reiterated calls for unrestricted medical evacuations and full humanitarian access.
