Gaza, Israel allows first group of wounded to cross Rafah since the Iran war
Israel granted security approval for only 8 wounded individuals and 17 companions to travel for treatment abroad. They were transported by bus and ambulances, accompanied by vehicles from the World Health Organization, from Al-Amal Hospital—affiliated with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society—in Khan Younis
On Thursday, the Israeli army allowed a limited number of Palestinian patients and their companions to leave the Gaza Strip to Egyptian Rafah via the Rafah land crossing to receive medical treatment abroad. This is the first group permitted to travel since the announcement of the Israeli-American war on Iran nearly three weeks ago.
Israel granted security approval for only 8 wounded individuals and 17 companions to travel for treatment abroad. They were transported by bus and ambulances, accompanied by vehicles from the World Health Organization, from Al-Amal Hospital—affiliated with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society—in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip to the Rafah crossing, according to a statement from the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Coinciding with the outbreak of the American-Israeli war on Iran at the end of February, the Israeli army closed all Gaza crossings, including Rafah, citing security conditions. This came after the crossing had been opened in both directions for less than a month following the start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
Israel imposes strict security restrictions on travelers from Gaza, including the sick and wounded, requiring prior Israeli security approval. Travel is then conducted through the World Health Organization, the only entity permitted to cross the “yellow line” east of Khan Younis, which separates areas under Israeli military control from areas where more than two million Gaza residents are concentrated—most of whom are unable to return to their homes.
WHO vehicles travel along Salah al-Din Street, passing east of Rafah, which remains fully under Israeli control, until reaching the Rafah crossing gate. The crossing is operated under the supervision of a European Union mission, while the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) handles the transport of returnees into Gaza via buses from the crossing gate to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, in coordination with the Israeli army. Returnees are subjected to Israeli inspection and questioning at the “Regevim” checkpoint, located just meters from the Palestinian side of the crossing.
By Salma Kaddoumi