The closure of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza has had devastating consequences for the people of Gaza, particularly those in need of urgent medical care. According to a World Health Organization official, at least 2,000 patients have been unable to receive medical evacuations since the closure of the crossing.
Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the West Bank and Gaza, highlighted the critical situation, stating that before the closure, approximately 50 critical patients a day were able to leave Gaza for medical treatment. However, since May 7th, thousands of individuals have been stranded in Gaza, unable to access the medical care they desperately need.
The Rafah crossing was a vital lifeline for evacuations and humanitarian aid during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, it was shut down when Israel launched an operation in the southern edge of the Gaza strip in May. Efforts have been made to reopen the crossing, with the United States, Egypt, and Qatar engaging in talks to increase humanitarian aid flows. Despite these efforts, the crossing remains closed, leaving thousands of people in Gaza in a precarious situation.
The nearby Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing has been suggested as an alternative route for evacuations. However, Peeperkorn raised concerns about the safety and logistical challenges of using this crossing. He emphasized the urgent need for more routes for medical emergency evacuations, calling for Kerem Shalom and other routes to be opened for medevac purposes. Patients requiring critical care for war traumas and chronic diseases are in desperate need of access to medical facilities outside of Gaza.
Peeperkorn also highlighted the case of a group of five children who had been evacuated from northern Gaza to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis but were still awaiting evacuation out of the strip. This serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reliable and accessible routes for medical evacuations from Gaza.
Overall, at least 10,000 people in Gaza are in need of evacuation for medical reasons, according to Peeperkorn. This number is likely an underestimate of the true scale of the crisis facing the healthcare system in Gaza. The lack of access to medical care outside of Gaza poses a significant threat to the lives of those in need of urgent treatment.
In conclusion, the closure of the Rafah crossing has had severe consequences for the people of Gaza, particularly those requiring urgent medical care. Urgent action is needed to reopen the crossing and establish additional routes for medical evacuations to ensure that patients can access the life-saving treatment they require. The international community must come together to address this humanitarian crisis and provide support to the people of Gaza during this critical time.