The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has opened for the first time in nine months. Fifty sick and wounded Palestinian children have been transported by ambulances from Gaza to Egypt for medical treatment.
This initiative aims to allow regular travel of Gazans to Egypt for healthcare. Over the past fifteen months, Israeli airstrikes have rendered many hospitals in Gaza non-operational.
According to Mohammed Zaqout from the Gaza Health Ministry, speaking to the Associated Press, 6,000 patients are ready for evacuation, and more than 12,000 patients urgently need medical care. Zaqout expressed that the small numbers allowed to evacuate are insufficient and hopes that the number of patients traveling to Egypt via Rafah will soon increase.
Under the ceasefire, Israel is supposed to allow 200 Palestinians, including escorts, to cross into Egypt daily during the first 28 days of the truce, totaling 5,500 Palestinians in the first phase. The Israeli security service Shin Bet retains the right to prevent certain Hamas members or escorts from departing, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Rafah is the only border crossing from Gaza not adjacent to Israel. The Israeli military closed the crossing in May last year during a ground offensive in southern Rafah.
A European Union mission will assist Palestinian border personnel in managing those wishing to exit the area.
Source: NOS