Patients from Gaza Cross into Egypt Through Rafah Border

Twenty-five Palestinians have returned to Gaza through the Rafah crossing, following its partial reopening. The group arrived at 3am local time (01:00 GMT) and were transported to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Thirteen Palestinian patients, accompanied by family members and World Health Organization officials, are being transferred from a hospital towards the crossing for medical treatment abroad.

The returnees reported experiencing humiliating Israeli security measures during their journey. Footage shows emotional scenes as returning Palestinians reunited with loved ones, and witnessed devastation caused by the war in Gaza.

The Rafah crossing, which was closed by Israeli authorities for most of the war, has been partially reopened to allow the return of Palestinians who have left, and the evacuation of patients requiring medical treatment outside the Strip. This is one of the terms of the US-brokered “ceasefire” agreement to end the war in Gaza.

The crossing’s reopening comes as Israeli attacks continue despite a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis, on Thursday. The International Commission to Support Palestinian People’s Rights (ICSPR) has expressed concerns about the strict Israeli measures at the crossing.

The World Health Organization officials are accompanying the patients as they prepare for their transfer. Israel had briefly suspended coordination over medical transfers before resuming it hours later. However, the pace of medical evacuations since the crossing’s partial reopening has been slower than expected.

Source: Al Jazeera