Amid the deepening health crisis in Gaza, Egypt has taken a significant step by beginning to accept Palestinian patients for medical treatment through the Rafah border crossing. Starting Monday, sick and injured people from Gaza will be transferred to Egyptian hospitals, at a time when doctors are warning of mass deaths.
According to a local news channel, the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing was opened on Sunday as a trial run. From Monday onward, it will be made fully operational. Given the severity of the situation, mobile ICU units have been deployed, and ambulance services will remain operational around the clock.
Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Gaza’s largest hospital, the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, described the situation as “extremely dangerous,” warning that if no clear and permanent arrangement is made to evacuate patients, the death toll could rise rapidly.
According to him, there are currently around 20,000 sick and injured people in Gaza who urgently need treatment, including 4,500 children. The situation is even more alarming as 440 patients are in critical condition, while nearly 4,000 cancer patients are stuck on an emergency waiting list to leave Gaza for medical care.
On Sunday, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities announced that the Rafah crossing had been reopened in coordination with the European Union and Egypt. This marks the first time in more than 18 months that the Palestinian side has resumed operations at the crossing, which had remained almost completely closed for a long period.
Earlier, Hamas had made it clear that the people of Gaza must retain their right to access the Rafah crossing. The group warned that any restrictions imposed by Israel would be considered a violation of international law and ceasefire agreements.
Recent images testify to the extensive damage at the Rafah crossing. The area suffered severe destruction during the Israeli military operation in May 2024. To facilitate the movement of patients, roads are being partially repaired and new routes are being prepared, while Israeli forces have maintained control over the Palestinian side since the war began in October 2023.
It is worth noting that during the ceasefire in January 2025, the Rafah crossing was briefly opened to allow patients and the injured to be evacuated. However, once fighting resumed in March 2025, the crossing was closed again.
The reopening of Rafah is certainly a ray of relief for Gaza’s patients, but conditions on the ground still point to a major humanitarian and health crisis.