Palestinians evacuated from Gaza via Rafah crossing for urgent medical treatment

A group of sick and injured Palestinians and their caregivers left Gaza through the Rafah border crossing on Wednesday (25 February) for medical treatment abroad, as limited evacuations continue under tight restrictions.

The crossing was partially reopened on 2 February, but the United Nations reports that only about 260 patients have been evacuated from Gaza so far.

Patients and their companions gathered at a field hospital operated by the Palestine Red Crescent Society in western Khan Younis before boarding buses and ambulances bound for the crossing, which remains subject to strict Israeli controls.

Ongoing Israeli military operations and the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system have forced the transfer of severely wounded and chronically ill patients outside the besieged enclave for urgent care.

Gaza officials say around 22,000 wounded and chronically ill residents require treatment abroad as the territory’s health system continues to struggle following two years of war. Separate semi-official figures indicate that nearly 80,000 Palestinians have registered to return to Gaza.

Gaza’s Government Media Office said on Thursday that only 1,148 Palestinians have crossed the Rafah border crossing with Egypt since its limited reopening earlier this month, describing the figure as roughly one-third of those expected to travel.

According to the office, 640 people left Gaza and 508 returned between 2-18 February, while 26 others were turned back while trying to leave.

• Israel reopens Rafah crossing in ‘pilot operation’ after two years
• A route out or a return home: the Rafah Crossing in photos

The U.S.-backed ceasefire, in place since 10 October 2025, halted two years of fighting that Gaza authorities say has killed more than 72,000 people, mostly women and children and injured more than 171,000 others since October 2023.

Since the agreement took effect, Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israeli forces have committed hundreds of violations through shelling and gunfire, killing more than 610 Palestinians and injuring over 1,630 others.

Copied