Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
A new group of wounded and critically ill Palestinians from the Gaza Strip arrived Tuesday morning at the Egyptian side of the Rafah Border Crossing, marking the twelfth medical evacuation convoy since the crossing was partially reopened earlier this month.
Medical and security sources said teams from Egypt’s Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Egyptian Red Crescent, immediately began conducting preliminary examinations at a fully equipped medical point inside the crossing. Patients were triaged according to the severity of their conditions before being transferred in specially outfitted ambulances to hospitals in North Sinai and several other Egyptian governorates.
The latest arrivals come after the partial reopening of the crossing in both directions on February 2, following limited access granted on the Palestinian side under arrangements linked to the second phase of a ceasefire agreement. The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s only gateway to the outside world that does not require direct passage through Israel, had remained closed for extended periods since October 2023 amid escalating conflict.
Since its limited reopening, hundreds of patients and wounded individuals have crossed into Egypt for treatment. Several Palestinians who completed their medical care have since returned to Gaza through the same crossing after fulfilling administrative and health procedures.
Egyptian authorities say more than 150 hospitals nationwide have been prepared to receive Palestinian cases, offering not only advanced medical treatment but also psychological and logistical support. Health officials describe the humanitarian situation in Gaza as catastrophic, with tens of thousands estimated to require urgent medical care abroad due to the collapse of much of the territory’s healthcare infrastructure.
International and local organizations have repeatedly called for expanding the scope of medical evacuations and increasing the number of patients permitted to cross. Humanitarian agencies warn that current numbers remain far below the scale of need, as ongoing restrictions and security considerations continue to limit the flow of people.
Egypt has long played a central humanitarian and diplomatic role in Gaza, facilitating ceasefire negotiations, coordinating aid deliveries, and serving as a primary channel for medical evacuations during periods of intense conflict. The renewed, albeit limited, operation of the Rafah crossing reflects ongoing efforts to alleviate some of the pressure on Gaza’s overwhelmed health system while broader political negotiations continue.
Despite the incremental progress, officials and aid groups acknowledge that the scale of suffering inside Gaza far exceeds current evacuation capacities, leaving thousands still awaiting life-saving treatment beyond the enclave’s borders.
