The only border point with Egypt is a lifeline for the world, including for thousands of seriously ill or injured Palestinians who need medical treatment outside the enclave, where last October’s fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in force.
However, this development comes after reports of violence over the weekend, in which the UN expressed concern about the killing of civilians and Israeli airstrikes.
‘Competitive dynamics’
“As we have seen so many times throughout this conflict, we are seeing really contrasting dynamics: on the one hand, positive progress regarding the reopening of Rafah and yet, in the last 24 hours, 30 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes during a ceasefire,” said Sam Rose, acting director of OOPS Issues in Gaza, said the BBC on Sunday.
“At the same time, international organizations that are equipped, qualified and capable of doing urgently needed work continue to face very, very significant constraints.”
For this reason, Palestinians in Gaza feel “enormous unease: hope that people will be able to leave, but real, real fear for the future,” he said.
UNRWA remains on the ground providing life-saving assistance in places where “fear and uncertainty persist,” the agency said, noting that “Access is limited, protection concerns remain and humanitarian needs remain acute amid current operational constraints.”
Limited movement
The reopening of the Rafah crossing was an integral part of the 20-point peace plan presented by US President Donald Trump last September, and the ceasefire was announced days later.
For now, Israel will only allow about 50 Palestinians to enter and leave Gaza each day, and only on foot, international news agencies have reported.
The crossing will be coordinated with Egypt and supervised by the European Union (EU), according to the UN humanitarian affairs office. OCHA.
Only residents who left during the war will be allowed to return after obtaining prior authorization from the Israeli security services, being checked by the EU at the Rafah border crossing and undergoing a second identification and screening process in a designated corridor managed by the Israeli army in an area under its control.
Support for returnees
OCHA welcome reopening the key border crossing, stressing that “civilians must be allowed to leave and return voluntarily and safely, as required by international law.”
Over the weekend, the UN carried out an advanced mission to assess road conditions.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is planned to provide bus transportation for returnees from the internal checkpoint to Nassar Hospital in Khan Younis, where several UN agencies and NGO partners have set up a reception area to support them.
The reception is staffed by psychologists and protection specialists, while food, information material and internet connectivity are available.
A boy arrives at Al-Amal Hospital in his wheelchair in an attempt to receive treatment.
medical evacuations
Monday also saw the World Health Organization (WHO) supporting medical evacuation efforts.
Some patients and their companions were able to leave Gaza directly to Egypt, while others transited through the Kerem Shalom border crossing, controlled by Israel.
Israeli authorities approved the travel of only five wounded patients from a list of 27 names submitted to both the Egyptian and Israeli sides, according to Palestinian sources.
Treatment beyond borders
Families queued in the courtyard of Al-Amal hospital in the southern Gaza Strip to say goodbye to their sick relatives and fellow travelers who were heading to Egypt to complete their treatment.
I hope to travel for treatment and walk back like other children – Youssef Awad
TO UN News The correspondent was present when the buses began to prepare to leave, carrying with him the hope that the wounded would return fully recovered.
A boy named Youssef Awad, who uses a wheelchair, was optimistic that he would be able to walk and play again.
“I hope to travel for treatment and walk back like the other children,” he said.
‘Speed up the process’
Another injured child, Ahmed Iyad Abu al-Khair, was sitting in a wheelchair next to his father, Iyad, waiting his turn in the medical evacuation convoy heading to the Rafah crossing.
Ahmed’s head was covered with a white bandage and he seemed unable to move as his father tried to comfort him.
“We hope that decision-makers and the World Health Organization will expedite the process and help us get my son Ahmed to travel to complete his treatment, as every hour he spends here affects his health.”
Injured Palestinians in wheelchairs protest demanding permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Thousands are still waiting
In a protest that reflects the extent of their desperation, dozens of wounded Palestinians staged a demonstration near the hospital, sitting in wheelchairs and demanding an increase in the number of people allowed to travel daily, which “should be in the hundreds” instead of 50.
“We have been waiting for the crossing to open since the beginning of the war and, like many others, we have been out of luck,” said Farid al-Qassas, an injured man.
We hope that everyone will listen to us and save what is left of these patients – Farid al-Qassas
“In this building alone there are about 100 patients who need medical referral, and the number of injured waiting to travel reaches about 13,000 patients and injured. We hope that everyone will listen to us and save what is left of these patients.”
The last medical evacuation through the Rafah crossing was in May 2024. Overall, More than 18,500 patients in Gaza, including 4,000 children, are still waiting to access treatment. abroad.
“The most effective option would be to resume referrals to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and rehabilitate damaged health facilities in Gaza,” OCHA said.
Until then, UN Member States are urged to “accept more patients so that everyone receives the treatment they need.”
Update on aid delivery
The agency also highlighted that “Ultimately, essential humanitarian supplies must enter in sufficient quantities and with fewer restrictions. through Rafah and other crossings.”
Between January 23 and 29, at least 13,800 pallets of humanitarian aid managed by the UN and its partners were unloaded at border points.
Nearly 60 percent of these shipments contained food, but also shelter items, school supplies, health items, fuel, and nutritional kits.
Since the announcement of the ceasefire on October 10, at least 272,000 pallets of humanitarian goods have been unloaded and 270,000 pallets have been collected at different border points.
