Article by viory
A group of injured and sick Palestinians departed a medical facility in southern Gaza on Thursday, as evacuations to Egypt resumed following the partial reopening of the Rafah Crossing.
Footage shows ambulances lined up outside the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s Medical Rehabilitation Hospital in Khan Yunis, departing under the escort of UN vehicles, alongside a bus.
Raed al-Nims, spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society, said the evacuation included 25 patients and their companions, describing the number as small compared to the long waiting lists of those requiring urgent treatment abroad.
“All relevant international laws and conventions guarantee this right to treatment. The continued closure of crossings and the prevention of evacuations, especially for critical cases, could lead to fatalities,” he said.
Palestinian media reported that the crossing had reopened to allow a group of patients and companions to leave, as well as some stranded individuals to return.
Gaza’s Crossings Authority said the initial reopening would allow eight patients, accompanied by 17 companions, to travel for treatment outside the enclave.
The Israel Defense Forces had earlier announced the reopening of the crossing in both directions, before later restricting movement, citing concerns over the smuggling of prohibited materials via the Kerem Shalom crossing.
The developments come amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,139 people and taking more than 200 hostages.
Israel subsequently launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and injured over 171,000, according to local authorities.
In January, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff outlined a second phase of a proposal backed by Donald Trump, aimed at ending the conflict through a transition from ceasefire to disarmament and reconstruction.
Article by viory
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