DaysofPal – Israel has announced the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, presenting it as a humanitarian step that allows wounded Palestinians to seek medical treatment abroad. The first day of operations revealed a far more limited reality. On Monday, Israeli authorities permitted only five patients to leave Gaza, forcing hundreds of others in urgent need of care to remain behind.
One of those approved was 17-year-old Mohammed Abu Mostafa, who travelled with his mother, Randa, from Khan Younis to Rafah after receiving a sudden notification that his name appeared on the initial list of patients cleared for departure.
Rafah, Gaza’s only land crossing not directly controlled by Israel, has remained closed for nearly two years during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians.
Randa said that she received a phone call early Monday morning instructing her to take her son immediately to the Red Crescent Hospital in Khan Younis. Mohammed had suffered a severe eye injury during an Israeli air strike a year and a half earlier in al-Mawasi, where his family had been displaced. The injury damaged his optic nerve, leaving him with serious vision loss.
“My son’s condition has worsened day after day,” Randa said. “There is no treatment available for him in Gaza.”
Limited Openings, Vast Medical Needs
The reopening of Rafah has been promoted as a sign of progress in the second phase of the United States-backed Gaza ceasefire agreement. Events on the ground on Monday told a different story. Strict security procedures, limited approvals, and low numbers of departures highlighted a system that falls far short of Gaza’s accumulated medical needs.
Each of the five patients approved for travel was allowed to bring two companions under Israeli instructions, bringing the total number of people permitted to cross to 15, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Mohammad Abu Salmiya, director of Gaza’s al-Shifa Medical Complex, said this was the only group allowed to leave, despite earlier coordination with the World Health Organization for the evacuation of 50 patients per day.
Egyptian officials said 50 Palestinians were also permitted to return to Gaza through Rafah, though confirmation of their arrival on the Palestinian side remains unavailable.
Ismail al-Thawabta, director of Gaza’s Government Media Office, said approximately 22,000 Palestinians require urgent medical evacuation, while about 80,000 people who left Gaza during the war are waiting to return.
Despite being allowed to accompany her son, Randa said she was forced to leave four of her six children behind because Israeli authorities permitted only one child as an additional companion.
“My only concern now is that my son regains his sight,” she said. “I hope we can return to Gaza once he recovers and that all patients will be allowed to travel.”
Strict Israeli Control Over Movement
In the courtyard of the Red Crescent Hospital, dozens of patients gathered in hopes of being approved for travel. Some had amputations, while others required urgent surgeries unavailable inside Gaza. Many expressed frustration after learning that only five people had been permitted to cross.
The travel process through Rafah involves multiple stages. Daily lists of candidates are prepared and submitted to Israel for security screening. No one is allowed to enter the crossing without explicit Israeli approval. The European Union Border Assistance Mission stationed at Rafah oversees identity verification but has no authority over approvals.
Palestinians returning to Gaza undergo additional inspections at checkpoints located in areas under Israeli military control.
Raed al-Nims, head of media for the Gaza Red Crescent, said the organization was still awaiting updates on additional medical transfers through Rafah. He confirmed that a separate group of patients was transferred to Israel on Monday through the Kerem Abu Salem crossing under WHO coordination.
Another patient approved to leave Gaza was Ibrahim Abu Thuraya, who lost his left hand during the early months of the war and still has shrapnel lodged behind his left eye.
“My eye condition worsens every day, and the pain is severe,” he said. “Doctors told me I need treatment abroad, and Gaza cannot provide it.”
Ibrahim, who will travel with his wife and son, said he had waited two years for approval.
“There are thousands of wounded people like me,” he said. “I hope the crossing will open permanently.”
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