Occupation Cancels Coordination for Patients' Travel Through Rafah Crossing

SadaNews - The spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent said that the Israeli occupation army informed them today, Wednesday, of the cancellation of the travel coordination for patients and the injured through the Rafah crossing.

This cancellation comes two days after the reopening of the crossing, as part of the ongoing Israeli restrictions on the movement of patients, travelers, and companions.

The spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Raed Al-Nems, stated in a press statement that the World Health Organization's office informed them of the cancellation of the travel plans for patients and the injured, despite having completed all necessary procedures and preparing them at the Red Crescent Hospital in Khan Younis, in the south of the sector, which surprised the concerned parties and the patients.

He added that since the reopening of the crossing the day before yesterday, only 50 patients and injured individuals, including their companions, have departed; on the first day, 7 patients left with their companions, and on the second day, 16 others departed with their companions, within 48 hours.

Al-Nems pointed out that this cancellation comes in the context of the occupation's procrastination and imposition of obstacles to patients' travel, despite the urgent need for treatment outside the sector, noting that around 18,500 patients and injured individuals need to receive treatment abroad.

Israeli occupation authorities opened the Rafah crossing last Sunday, after being closed for about 20 months, stipulating that "travelers and returnees must undergo an Israeli security check."

It was noted that "returning to the sector will be limited to individuals who left during the war, meaning that the crossing will not be open to all groups."

It is worth mentioning that the occupation completely closed the Rafah crossing on May 7, 2024, coinciding with a full-scale invasion of the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.