Israel Blocks Over 16,500 Palestinians from Leaving Gaza for Medical Treatment
Al Jazeera Staff
Gaza's Health Ministry accuses Israel of blocking over 16,500 Palestinian patients from leaving for medical treatment despite a ceasefire. Health officials warn that Israeli delays are costing lives. The Rafah crossing remains mostly closed, with only limited weekly access for medical evacuations.
Gaza's Health Ministry on June 10 accused Israel of blocking more than 16,500 Palestinians in need of medical treatment abroad from leaving the war-torn and besieged territory, despite a nominal ceasefire in effect since October last year. The ministry warned that Israel is killing patients through delays, following a genocidal war that has killed nearly 73,000 Palestinians since October 2023.
According to the Gaza authorities, Israel restricts the number of people allowed to leave the territory for medical treatment. The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt was partially reopened by Israel in early February after nearly two years of closure, but Israel has repeatedly temporarily shut it. Maher Shamia, acting deputy minister of Gaza's Health Ministry, said authorities permit Palestinians to use the Rafah crossing only three days a week to leave the territory, while only one day per week is allocated for medical evacuations at the Karem Abu Salem crossing linking Gaza to Israel.
“The occupying side is fully responsible for this crisis due to its continued closure of the Rafah crossing, the main gateway for patients to leave,” Shamia said, urging human rights organizations to pressure Israel to allow Palestinians free movement in and out of Gaza. He also stressed that most patients could be treated locally if medical infrastructure were rebuilt.
Gaza is in a humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a lack of aid. Nearly 90% of the population has been displaced, with most facing severe food insecurity. On June 10, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel to immediately reopen all crossings into Gaza and allow unrestricted humanitarian aid entry. “I am also deeply concerned about Israel's decision to close crossings into Gaza and reiterate my call for the immediate reopening of all crossings to ensure rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian aid across Gaza,” Guterres said.
In April, the United Nations and the European Union warned that human development in Gaza had been set back by 77 years and that more than $71 billion would be needed for recovery and reconstruction. Both agencies said all sectors, including housing, health, education, commerce, and agriculture, had been devastated. According to the joint assessment, more than $26 billion would be needed in the first 18 months to restore essential services, rebuild infrastructure, and support economic recovery.
Israel carries out near-daily attacks in Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement in effect since October. Under the deal brokered by the US and regional leaders, about 600 aid trucks are supposed to enter Gaza daily. Israel says it allows the agreed amount of aid into Gaza, but Hamas rejects this and accuses Israel of deliberately obstructing the delivery of essential goods.
Peace talks between the two sides have been stalled for months, with many unresolved sticking points, including the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Last week, Husam Badran, a member of Hamas's Political Bureau, said the group has not handed over weapons and that the fate of its arsenal would be decided after comprehensive discussions with other Palestinian factions. A new round of talks began in Egypt on June 8, with Hamas demanding that Israel halt its attacks on Gaza if it wants progress.
