The Rafah border crossing reopened today, Saturday, for the first time since the Israeli occupation  took control of it in May. The evacuation of wounded and sick Palestinians is expected to take place in batches.

A total of 50 patients and wounded individuals, most of them children suffering from cancer and heart diseases, left Gaza accompanied by a delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO).

They were transported from various areas of Gaza to Nasser Medical Complex in the south, before being transferred by bus to the Rafah crossing. Families expressed frustration over WHO’s restriction allowing only one companion per patient, despite reports on Friday suggesting that up to three companions would be permitted.

Meanwhile, Israel’s  forces radio announced on Friday that the military had withdrawn from the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

The European Union (EU) confirmed the deployment of its civilian mission at the crossing. Anwar al-Anoni, spokesperson for the European Commission for Foreign Affairs, stated that the EU mission began operating at Rafah on Friday at the request of both Palestinians and Israelis.

The mission will collaborate with Palestinian border officials and provide medical care until the first phase of the ceasefire is completed. WHO welcomed today’s evacuation of 50 patients, marking the first such operation since the ceasefire and Rafah’s closure in May.

The organization added that between 12,000 and 14,000 people still require medical evacuation from Gaza.