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Palestinian Children Evacuated for Medical Treatment

As the prisoner release was underway, a group of 50 sick and wounded Palestinian children began crossing into Egypt for medical treatment. This marked the first opening of the Rafah Crossing since Israeli forces seized it in May.

Egyptian television footage showed Palestinian Red Cross ambulances arriving at the crossing, where children were transferred onto Egyptian ambulances. Many of these children suffer from severe conditions such as cancer or heart disease, and Gaza’s decimated healthcare system is unable to provide the necessary treatment.

Mohammed Zaqout, the director of hospitals in Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, stated that more than 6,000 patients are awaiting international evacuation for treatment, while over 12,000 need urgent medical care.

“The small numbers set to be evacuated will not cover the need, and we hope the number will increase,” Zaqout emphasized.

Rafah Crossing Closure and Reopening

Israeli forces had shut down the Rafah Crossing in early May after capturing it during an offensive in the southern city. Egypt subsequently closed its side of the passage in protest. 

However, as part of the ceasefire deal, Israel agreed to reopen the crossing after Hamas released the last living female hostages in Gaza.

Mohammed Zaqout, the director of hospitals in Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry, said more than 6,000 patients were ready to be evacuated internationally. And 12,000 more patients still required treatment.

The reopening of the Rafah Crossing and the hostage-prisoner exchange represents a critical step in ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

While these developments offer somewhat of a reprieve, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire.