Palestinians enter Egypt from Gaza for medical treatment

A second group of Palestinians receiving medical treatment arrived in Egypt from Gaza via the Rafah border crossing on Tuesday (3 February).

According to the broadcaster, the returnees arrived at the Rafah crossing earlier in the day to complete administrative procedures before entering Gaza. The movement comes a day after the crossing was partially reopened on Monday (2 February).

“It was a journey of horror, humiliation and oppression,” said 56-year-old Huda Abu Abed, speaking by phone from a tent where her family is sheltering in Khan Younis.

Israeli media reported that around 50 Palestinians were expected to return to Gaza, while approximately 150 patients and their companions were scheduled to leave the territory for medical treatment in Egypt.

Gaza health officials estimate that nearly 22,000 patients are still waiting for the full reopening of the crossing.

In a statement denying any wrongdoing, Israel's military said there were no known incidents of inappropriate conduct, mistreatment, apprehensions or confiscation of property by the Israeli security establishment.

Israel seized control of the Rafah crossing in May 2024, nearly nine months into its war on Gaza, turning the vital humanitarian route largely inaccessible.

Rafah under security control

The Rafah crossing, the only exit point for most of Gaza’s more than two million residents, has remained closed for much of the war. It was due to reopen during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel reached in October.

Rafah, once home to around 250,000 people, was almost entirely depopulated after Israeli forces ordered residents to evacuate before carrying out widespread demolitions that left much of the city in ruins. 

The area now lies within a security zone retained by Israel after its forces pulled back to a designated line in October, where local armed groups, including the Popular Forces, are also operating.

Tags