Evacuations of injured Gazans and foreign passport holders through the Rafah crossing to Egypt have been halted since Saturday, following an Israeli strike on an ambulance in Gaza. Egyptian, U.S., and Qatari officials are working to resume the evacuations. The Israeli military claimed that the ambulance was carrying Hamas militants, although no evidence has been provided.
The Rafah crossing is the only exit point from Gaza not controlled by Israel. While aid trucks can still enter the territory, two Egyptian sources confirmed that evacuations have been suspended. However, there are hopes that the crossing will reopen later in the day, according to a senior U.S. State Department official.
Evacuations initially began on Wednesday as part of an internationally brokered deal to allow foreign passport holders, their dependents, and wounded Gazans to leave the enclave. On Sunday, the Gazan border authority did not publish a list of approved foreign passport holders and dependents, raising concerns for those waiting on the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing.
So far, hundreds of people, including injured Gazans, have been evacuated and are receiving medical assistance in hospitals in Sinai. However, individuals like Majed al-Huwaihi, a Palestinian with German citizenship, fear that they may not be allowed to cross due to the dangerous conditions and lack of fuel.
While an Egyptian official stated that the Egyptian side of the border remains open for evacuees, crossings have been suspended due to the ongoing bombardments in Gaza. Nevertheless, Egypt is making genuine efforts to resume activity. The U.S. diplomat involved in the negotiations expressed optimism that the issue will be resolved, despite additional demands from Hamas complicating the situation.
Qatar, which has been instrumental in facilitating humanitarian aid and hostage releases, is also pushing for the resumption of crossings. However, no specific timeline has been set. Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the bombing of hospitals and ambulances, calling for safe routes and respect for the agreement reached.
The United Nations Secretary-General and aid agencies working in Gaza have condemned Israel’s airstrike on the ambulance. The Health Ministry, hospital director, and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Gaza have all claimed that the strike targeted a convoy of ambulances evacuating wounded people from the besieged northern Gaza area.
Reporting by Yusri Mohamed in Ismailia, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan in Cairo, Simon Lewis in Jerusalem, Aidan Lewis in London, and Andrew Mills in Doha. Written by Nafisa Eltahir. Edited by Hugh Lawson, Conor Humphries, and Andrew Heavens.
