Synopsis
On February 1, fifty patients from the Gaza Strip entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing for medical treatment. This marks the first time since May that patients have crossed for healthcare. The Egyptian Red Crescent has organized ambulances to assist them in reaching hospitals across the region, including Cairo.Key Takeaways
- Fifty patients entered Egypt through Rafah for medical care.
- First entry since May for treatment.
- Thirty ambulances were prepared for patient transport.
- Patients will be treated in specialized departments.
- Rafah crossing is crucial for humanitarian aid.
Cairo, Feb 1 (NationPress) On Saturday, fifty patients from the Gaza Strip crossed into Egypt through the Rafah crossing, which is the sole connection between the Palestinian territory and Egypt, as reported by Egypt's state-run Nile TV.
This marks the first instance of Gazan patients entering Egypt for medical assistance since last May.
Footage broadcasted on television displayed the patients arriving on the Egyptian side of the crossing individually and boarding ambulances prepared at the border.
An official from the Egyptian Red Crescent informed Xinhua news agency that earlier on Saturday, 30 ambulances were ready at the Egyptian side of the crossing to transport the patients to medical facilities in the cities of Sheikh Zuweid, Arish, and Suez. After evaluating their conditions, some patients will be directed to the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
The patients will receive treatment in specialized departments such as orthopedics, burns, general surgery, and pediatrics at designated hospitals, as per the source.
The Rafah crossing serves as a crucial entry point for humanitarian aid supplied by Egypt, various nations, and international organizations.
On January 19, the Rafah crossing was reopened from the Egyptian side following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
Since May 2024, the Palestinian side of the crossing has been under Israeli control, which had restricted its operation until the recent ceasefire.
On Friday, thousands gathered near the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing to protest against the displacement of Palestinians.
State-controlled Nile TV captured images of demonstrators waving Egyptian and Palestinian flags, with signs stating, 'no to displacement'.
The protestors included political figures from the Egyptian parliament and citizens vocally opposing any plans to relocate Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump asserted that Egypt and Jordan would adhere to his contentious proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the two nations.
He remarked, 'They will do it... We do a lot for them, and they’re going to do it', in response to inquiries about potential pressure on Cairo and Amman to accept his plan.
On Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi stated that the displacement of Palestinians represents an act of 'injustice', a stance that Egypt will not endorse, according to Xinhua news agency.
