An ERC worker help wounded Palestinian on a wheel chair to get medical treatment after crossing the Rafah border crossing. Photo courtesy of ERC.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the World Health Organization (WHO) informed its teams that the transfer of humanitarian cases, including patients and their companions, had been suspended, along with the return of previously evacuated cases to Gaza via the Egyptian side of the crossing.
The suspension followed an incident in which Israeli forces opened fire on UN vehicles traveling along Salah al-Din Road near Route 5 in Khan Younis.
Several aid workers were injured, including one in serious condition, and multiple vehicles were damaged.
The Rafah crossing has been a key route for medical evacuations from the Gaza Strip, particularly for critically ill and wounded patients seeking treatment abroad since the October ceasefire, brokered by Cairo, Doha, Ankara, and Washington.
The Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing was partially reopened on 2 February after being occupied and closed by the Israeli forces in May 2024.
Hamas condemns
In a statement, Hamas condemned the closure of the crossing and the halt of medical evacuations, describing it as a violation of international humanitarian law and part of a broader pattern of actions affecting civilians in Gaza.
The group also accused Israel of failing to adhere to ceasefire arrangements and called on international mediators to intervene to ensure compliance and accountability.
Hamas urged the international community and the UN to take “urgent and effective action” to pressure Israel to reopen crossings, particularly Rafah, and allow patients and the wounded access to medical treatment.
The developments come amid ongoing tensions and repeated disruptions to humanitarian access in Gaza, with aid agencies warning of the impact on civilians, especially those requiring urgent medical care.
Despite a ceasefire being in effect, Israel has continued to launch strikes across Gaza, killing at least 716 people since the truce took hold on 10 October, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
In total tally, Israel has killed at least 72,292 Palestinians and wounded 172,073 others since the start of its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the ministry said on Sunday.
Many victims remain under the rubble and scattered on the roads, inaccessible to ambulance and rescue crews.
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