The only border point with Egypt is a crucial connection to the world for thousands of severely ill or injured Palestinians who need medical treatment outside the enclave, where last October’s fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas still holds.
This development follows reports of violence over the weekend, with the UN expressing concern over the killing of civilians and Israeli airstrikes.
‘Competing dynamics’
“As we’ve seen repeatedly in this conflict, we’re experiencing competing dynamics: positive progress with the reopening of Rafah, yet in the past 24 hours, 30 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes during a ceasefire,” Sam Rose, Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, told the BBC on Sunday.
“At the same time, international organizations capable of urgent work continue to face significant constraints.”
For this reason, Palestinians in Gaza feel “massive trepidation—hope that people will be able to get out, but real, real fear for the future,” he said.
UNRWA remains on the ground delivering essential assistance where “fear and uncertainty persist,” noting that “access is limited, protection concerns persist, and humanitarian needs remain acute amid ongoing operational constraints.”
Limited movement
Reopening the Rafah crossing was part of a 20-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump last September, with the ceasefire announced days later.
For now, Israel will allow only 50 Palestinians to enter and exit Gaza each day—on foot, according to international news agencies.
The crossing will be coordinated with Egypt and supervised by the European Union (EU), according to OCHA.
Returns will be permitted for residents who left during the war after obtaining prior authorization from Israeli security services, being checked by the EU at Rafah crossing, and undergoing a second identification and control process in a designated corridor managed by the Israeli army in an area under its control.
Support for returnees
OCHA welcomed the reopening of the key border crossing, emphasizing that “civilians must be allowed to leave and return voluntarily and safely, as international law requires.”
Over the weekend, the UN conducted an advance mission to assess road conditions.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is set to provide bus transportation for returnees from the internal checkpoint to Nassar hospital in Khan Younis, where several UN agencies and NGO partners have set up a reception area to offer support.
The reception desk is staffed by psychologists and protection specialists, with food, information materials, and internet connectivity available.
A child arrives at Al-Amal Hospital in his wheelchair seeking treatment.
Medical evacuations
Monday also saw the World Health Organization (WHO) supporting medical evacuation efforts.
Some patients and their companions exited Gaza directly to Egypt, while others transited through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom border crossing.
Israeli authorities approved the travel of only five wounded patients from a list of 27 names submitted to both the Egyptian and Israeli sides, according to Palestinian sources.
Treatment beyond borders
Families gathered in the courtyard of Al-Amal Hospital in the south of the Gaza Strip to say goodbye to sick relatives and their travel companions heading to Egypt to complete their treatment.
“I hope to travel for treatment and return walking like other children,” said Youssef Awad.
A UN News correspondent was present as buses prepared to depart, carrying the hope that the wounded would return fully recovered.
A young boy named Youssef Awad, who uses a wheelchair, was optimistic about walking and playing again.
“I hope to travel for treatment and return walking like other children,” he said.
‘Expedite the process’
Another injured child, Ahmed Iyad Abu al-Khair, sat in a wheelchair next to his father, Iyad, waiting his turn in the medical evacuation convoy heading to Rafah crossing.
Ahmed’s head was covered with a white bandage, unable to move while his father tried to comfort him.
“We hope that decision-makers and WHO will expedite the process and help us get my son Ahmed to travel to complete his treatment, as every hour he spends here affects his health.”
Injured Palestinians in wheelchairs protest demanding permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Thousands still waiting
In a protest reflecting their despair, dozens of injured Palestinians demonstrated near the hospital, sitting in wheelchairs and demanding an increase in the number of people allowed to travel daily, which “should be in the hundreds” instead of 50.
“We have been waiting for the crossing to open since the war began, and like many others, we have not been lucky,” said Farid al-Qassas, an injured man.
“We hope that everyone will hear us and save what remains of these patients,” he added.
“In this building alone, there are about 100 patients needing medical referrals, and the number of wounded waiting to travel reaches about 13,000. We hope that everyone will hear us and save what remains of these patients.”
The last medical evacuation through Rafah crossing was in May 2024. Overall, more than 18,500 patients in Gaza, including
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