04.02.2026 17:15
The expected third group of patients and injured individuals to be evacuated from Israel's Rafah Border Crossing has been canceled. Patients in Khan Younis are stranded in ambulances. The Palestinian Red Crescent is seeking support from authorities for the urgent evacuation of patients.
The Rafah Border Crossing, which Israel closed in May 2024 as part of its "efforts to combat arms smuggling to Hamas," was reopened in both directions on February 2 after nearly 2 years. The Palestinian Red Crescent announced that the planned evacuation of the third group of patients and injured through the Rafah Border Crossing has been suspended. Israel's cancellation decision was made while preparations were ongoing for the exit of a new group of patients. With this decision, the evacuation of patients and injured from the Rehabilitation Hospital in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, was also left incomplete. Patients and their relatives, who were loaded into ambulances to cross the border for treatment, continue to wait inside the ambulances following Israel's cancellation decision.
"THIS UNFORTUNATE DECISION MUST NOT BE REPEATED"
Palestinian Red Crescent spokesperson Raed Al-Nams stated, "We received information today that the coordination for the passage of patients and injured through the Rafah Border Crossing has been canceled." Al-Nams, who said, "This unfortunate decision must not be repeated," expressed hope that there would be real efforts to compel Israel to allow the evacuation of patients and to increase their numbers, especially considering that there are many patients in the Gaza Strip who urgently need to cross and access treatments that are not available here. Al-Nams warned that any delay negatively affects the condition of patients, especially posing a serious life threat for those waiting for surgery or cancer patients, stating, "Since the opening of the border crossing, the number of patients who have exited Gaza has been extremely low. Only 5 patients were allowed to cross on the first day, and 16 on the second day. These numbers are negligible compared to the number of patients in Gaza who need treatment and are on long waiting lists."
COGAT: THE RAFAH BORDER CROSSING OPENED AS USUAL IN THE MORNING HOURS
In a statement made via social media by the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which is affiliated with the Israeli army, it was stated, "The Rafah Border Crossing opened as usual in the morning hours in accordance with the agreement and Israel's commitment." The statement claimed that the World Health Organization (WHO), responsible for the coordination of crossings from the Gaza Strip to the Rafah Border Crossing, did not provide the necessary coordination information for procedural reasons, and included the statement, "When the coordination details are communicated as agreed, the passage of patients and their companions through the Rafah Border Crossing to Egypt will be ensured."