A limited number of patients and people wounded in Gaza’s genocidal war were able to leave the enclave today, Monday, to continue treatment abroad, after the Rafah land crossing opened for the first time in more than a year and a half.
A source at the World Health Organization told Al Manassa that fewer than 10 patients, along with their companions, were transported on the organization’s bus from Al-Amal Hospital to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Khan Younis in the south of the enclave, after obtaining Israeli security approvals and being allowed to travel for treatment.
The source, who asked that their name not be published, said the number of the ill and wounded traveling abroad for treatment is expected to increase in the coming days, without disclosing further information.
Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza have registered with the World Health Organization to leave the enclave for medical treatment. Gaza’s Health Ministry said at least 20,000 patients, including children and cancer patients, are awaiting evacuation.
Under the agreement, 50 wounded and sick people, each with one or two companions, were supposed to leave the enclave and 50 were supposed to return, an agreement Israel has not implemented so far.
Akram Mehdi, 61, who was injured during the genocidal war after an Israeli strike hit a house next to his home in the Maghazi refugee camp in the central enclave, said shrapnel struck his face, causing him to lose sight in his right eye and injuring his left eye.
Speaking to Al Manassa, he said he needs to receive the necessary treatment to remove shrapnel still lodged around the eye, as he risks complete blindness otherwise.
Patients prepare to board a WHO bus to take them to Rafah crossing, Feb. 2, 2026For the past year and a half, Mehdi has gone without the treatment and surgical care he needs in Gaza’s hospitals, as the health system has been severely damaged by Israeli attacks, while doctors and other medical staff have been arrested during Israeli ground incursions.
He was categorized for urgent medical referral for treatment abroad, but was unable to travel because the Rafah crossing was closed after the occupation army took control of it in May 2024.
Mehdi left accompanied by his son after they were informed by phone that approval had been granted for them to travel via the Rafah crossing. He said he does not know whether he will receive treatment in Egypt or another country.
Mohammed Abu Mustafa, 17, also received approval to travel accompanied by his mother. He suffered a facial injury after an Israeli artillery shell exploded near him on a street in central Khan Younis. The injury caused him to lose sight in his left eye and weakened the vision in his other eye.
Abu Mustafa told Al Manassa that treatment capabilities were not available for him in Gaza’s hospitals. He added that he received a call from the World Health Organization on Monday morning informing him to go to Al-Amal Hospital in preparation for traveling abroad for treatment. Abu Mustafa also confirmed he does not know his final destination.
In the coming hours, patients are expected to arrive in Gaza via the crossing after having completed treatment in Egypt.
In the same context, more than 25 Palestinian Authority employees left the Gaza Strip for the Rafah land crossing, where their mission is focused on facilitating Palestinians’ passage in both directions.
One of the employees told Al Manassa, asking that their name not be published, that they will work inside the crossing on the Palestinian side and spend the night in the city of El-Arish in Sinai.
The Israeli government had delayed approving the opening of the crossing in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement and tied the matter to the handover of captives, before the occupation army announced it had found the last body being held in the enclave, clearing the way to implement the second phase and open the crossing.
