Arabic version: إغلاق معبر رفح يترك مرضى غزة بدون رعاية
The closure of the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s primary exit point, has left numerous patients stranded and unable to receive essential medical treatment. On February 28, the crossing was closed by Israeli authorities, citing security concerns linked to escalating conflicts with Iran. This unexpected decision halted medical evacuations, including those of critically ill patients like Alma, a five-month-old girl in desperate need of surgery unavailable in Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, Alma’s mother, Lama Abu Reida, expressed her despair, stating, “If her travel is delayed any longer … I don’t know what might happen. Her condition is not reassuring.”
The Rafah crossing had previously reopened on February 1 for a trial phase allowing limited movement, particularly for medical cases. However, this brief window proved insufficient as thousands remained on waiting lists. The abrupt closure has compounded the already dire healthcare situation in Gaza, where over 20,000 patients are currently awaiting medical treatment abroad, including approximately 4,000 cancer patients and nearly 440 urgent cases.
Hadeel Zorob, who lost two children due to delayed medical treatment, shared her heartbreak, stating, “The closure killed my children!” She emphasized that her children were denied crucial care just before they could travel for treatment. The emotional toll of the situation is immense, with parents like Zorob fearing for the lives of their remaining children.
The Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights condemned the closure as a form of collective punishment, warning that it exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Patients, including those suffering from cancer and other serious ailments, are left to grapple with the consequences of this ongoing blockade, facing dire shortages of medications and medical personnel. Amal al-Talouli, a breast cancer patient, lamented the worsening of her condition due to the inability to travel for necessary treatment, highlighting the severe impact of the crossing’s closure on vulnerable lives in Gaza.
