A vehicle of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) crosses from the Palestinian side to the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on June 12, 2023. AFP
North Sinai Governor Mohamed Shosha revealed in previous statements that the hospitals in the governorate had been put on alert to receive injured Palestinians as soon as the crossing opens.
According to previous statements by the governorate’s health officials, nearly 150 ambulances are ready to transport patients and there were plans to set up a medical triage tent at the crossing.
Governor Shosha also stated that a field hospital with 50 beds was being set up in Sheikh Zuweid city, west of Rafah, raising the total capacity of hospitals in North Sinai to 350 beds.
In addition, three locations have been assigned to host those accompanying the injured in Sheikh Zuweid and Arish in North Sinai, the officials added.
During previous Israeli wars on Gaza, Egypt treated injured Palestinians at hospitals in Ismailia and Cairo.
Meanwhile, Shosha revealed on Tuesday that there are about are 750 Palestinians stranded at the Rafah crossing, who were in Egypt for medical treatment or visiting relatives.
They are being accommodated in a residential building in Rafah city and meals have been provided for them until they can safely return to the Gaza Strip, he added.
In a press conference at the Rafah crossing on Tuesday, Head of the State Information Service (SIS) Diaa Rashwan told local and foreign media correspondents that Egypt is ready to allow thousands of trucks into Gaza daily, but Israel is delaying the process.
He revealed that only 250 trucks have been allowed to cross since the start of the attack on Gaza.
He also accused Israel of deliberately delaying the aid by slowing the inspection and highlighted the possibility that Israel could strike any trucks sent through.
Two weeks ago, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry revealed in his interview on CNN that Israel had bombed the crossing four times already, injuring four Egyptian workers.
According to the World Health Organization in Palestine (WHO Palestine), 36 health facilities have been affected by the Israeli attack and 28 ambulances have been totally destroyed.
Short link: