The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has deteriorated sharply following the closure of the Rafah border crossing leaving thousands of patients without access to life saving medical care outside the territory.
According to Gaza’s health ministry and humanitarian organizations the shutdown halted all medical evacuations preventing critically ill patients from traveling abroad for treatment unavailable within Gaza’s strained healthcare system.
Israeli authorities responsible for Palestinian civil coordination said the Rafah crossing is expected to reopen on a limited basis in the coming days. Travel will be permitted in both directions but will remain subject to security screening and coordination with Egyptian authorities and international monitoring teams.
Humanitarian agencies warn however that the partial reopening will not immediately resolve the growing medical emergency.
Health officials estimate that more than twenty two thousand patients and wounded individuals are currently waiting for medical evacuation outside Gaza. Among them are about four thousand five hundred children and four thousand cancer patients requiring specialized treatment not available locally.
Around four hundred forty cases have been classified as urgent life saving emergencies.
The suspension of evacuations has placed enormous pressure on Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system which has long faced shortages of staff equipment and essential medicines.
The health ministry reports that forty six percent of essential medicines are now completely out of stock including drugs used for anesthesia maternal care respiratory treatment and emergency surgery.
Hospitals have been forced to postpone operations ration supplies and rely on improvised treatments as restrictions on imports continue.
Humanitarian organizations say the shortage of critical drugs is worsening outcomes for patients suffering from chronic diseases and trauma injuries.
Children and vulnerable groups have been particularly affected. Health workers report that several children suffering from rare genetic diseases and chronic illnesses have died while waiting for previously approved evacuation permits.
Malnutrition among pregnant women and children is also rising with aid agencies warning that poor nutrition is aggravating existing health conditions and weakening immune systems.
Human rights organizations have criticized the prolonged border restrictions saying civilians particularly the sick and wounded are paying the price for broader geopolitical tensions.
Even with the planned reopening of Rafah officials say only a small portion of patients will be able to travel immediately because of limited capacity and screening procedures.
The Kerem Shalom crossing continues to allow restricted deliveries of humanitarian aid and fuel but aid agencies say the volume of supplies remains far below what is required to meet the population’s needs.
Medical authorities warn that without a significant expansion of humanitarian access the backlog of patients and shortages of essential medicines will continue to worsen.
Key health indicators in Gaza
Total awaiting evacuation: more than 22,000
Children: about 4,500
Cancer patients: about 4,000
Urgent life saving cases: 440
Essential medicines completely out of stock: 46 percent
Humanitarian organizations say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the reopening of Rafah can begin to ease Gaza’s worsening medical emergency.
