SAFA – Israel continues to prevent Palestinian patients and wounded civilians from leaving the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, despite their meeting travel requirements and receiving approval through officially authorized evacuation lists, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said Thursday.

In a statement reported by Sanad, the ministry’s Medical Referrals Committee said the continued and “unjustified” closure has prevented dozens of critically ill and wounded Palestinians from leaving Gaza during the three days designated each week for coordinating medical evacuations.

The committee explained that the restrictions and failure to facilitate patient transfers on scheduled dates have disrupted established medical evacuation arrangements, leaving patients awaiting urgently needed treatment outside the besieged territory.

The Health Ministry warned that repeated delays pose serious risks to patients suffering from life-threatening and complex medical conditions, including cancer, kidney failure, and severe injuries.

“Every day of delay negatively affects their response to treatment and their chances of recovery,” the ministry stressed.

The ministry added that the continued restrictions are placing further strain on Gaza’s already overwhelmed healthcare system, forcing hospitals and medical personnel to care for patients requiring specialized treatment that is unavailable within the Strip.

Calls for Urgent International Intervention

The Palestinian Ministry of Health called on United Nations agencies and international human rights organizations to intervene urgently and press for the sustained reopening of the Rafah crossing.

It also urged international organizations to ensure that critically ill and wounded Palestinians can leave Gaza for medical treatment without further restrictions, obstacles, or delays.

Rafah Crossing Remains Subject to Israeli Restrictions

Israel partially reopened the Rafah crossing in early February 2026, allowing limited departures for wounded and sick Palestinians, as well as the return of Gaza residents, under strict security procedures and Israeli approval requirements.

The reopening was part of the second phase of a ceasefire agreement that took effect in October 2025.

Rafah is the Gaza Strip’s only land crossing with Egypt, providing a route to the outside world that does not pass directly through Israeli territory.

The crossing is located in an area that has remained under Israeli military control since May 2024. Its operations have been repeatedly interrupted, including following a brief reopening in early 2025.