Occupation decides to completely close Rafah crossing and suspend evacuation of thousands of wounded

The Crossings and Borders Authority in the Gaza Strip announced on Sunday evening that the Israeli occupation authorities have decided to completely close the Rafah land crossing starting from Monday. The authority clarified in a brief statement that this measure will directly lead to the cessation of all evacuation operations for the wounded and sick who require urgent medical interventions outside the Strip, without clarifying the reasons behind this sudden decision.

This closure comes at a time when the health sector in Gaza is suffering from a near-complete collapse, as Israel imposes strict restrictions on movement through the crossing since its partial reopening. The Israeli side has not issued any immediate comment on the motives for the closure, which repeats previous scenarios that saw the only outlet for the residents of the Strip to the outside world disrupted for continuous weeks.

In a related context, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Raed Al-Nims, revealed shocking figures related to the humanitarian situation, indicating that more than 18,000 patients and wounded are still awaiting their turn on medical evacuation lists. Al-Nims confirmed that the number of those who were able to leave the Strip since the reopening of the crossing did not exceed 700 patients, which is a very small number compared to the enormous needs and the danger threatening the lives of the injured.

In addition to the closure crisis, local sources reported that Palestinian citizens returning to the Gaza Strip through the crossing were subjected to serious violations by the occupation forces stationed there. These violations included acts of abuse and prolonged detention, in addition to harsh interrogations and psychological pressure suffered by travelers before being allowed to reach their homes inside the Strip.

It is worth noting that the Israeli occupation army has full control over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing since its invasion in May 2024, and it was reopened last February within a very limited scope. The crossing constitutes the only remaining lifeline for the residents of Gaza, and its closure represents a death sentence for hundreds of critical cases for whom treatment is not available in the besieged and targeted hospitals.

Movement of patient evacuations will stop tomorrow, Monday, as a result of the closure of the Rafah crossing by the occupation.