Daily Passage of 150 Palestinian Patients from Gaza to Egypt for Medical Care

A source at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing reported that around 150 Palestinian patients will now cross daily from Gaza into Egypt to receive medical care, as part of new regulations governing the border movement after a long hiatus.

Details of the Initial Crossing

The source noted that on the first day of resumed operations, 12 patients and 7 companions crossed the border on Monday. A second group of patients has since arrived, and it is anticipated that 50 Palestinians who have completed their treatment in Egyptian hospitals will return to Gaza today.

Conditions for Passage

Authorities explained that all cases permitted to cross suffer from serious health issues, including chronic illnesses and shrapnel wounds from the ongoing conflict, making the crossing a critical route for those in need of urgent medical attention.

International Coordination Mechanism for Passage

The passage of patients is organized under agreed-upon arrangements that allow 150 individuals to leave Gaza each day in exchange for 50 individuals entering from Egypt into Palestinian territory. The European Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) oversees the crossing in coordination with Egyptian authorities, who send a daily list of individuals wishing to return to Gaza for security checks by Israel. Meanwhile, the European mission provides a list of those departing for Egypt for approval or denial.