Amjad Shawa, Director-General of the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza, announced that around 20,000 injured individuals are on medical evacuation lists awaiting treatment abroad, pending the reopening of the Rafah Crossing, which will open for trial on Sunday, according to Israeli authorities.
اضافة اعلان
In remarks to Al-Mamlaka TV on Friday evening, Shawa stated that “Rafah Crossing will not be open for humanitarian aid deliveries in the upcoming period, and crossings remain under full Israeli control with strict restrictions on aid entry so far.” He confirmed that reopening the crossing is expected to mark the beginning of the second phase of the ceasefire.
Shawa highlighted that Gaza is suffering widespread destruction at all levels, with 61 million tons of rubble from 90% of buildings damaged either partially or completely. He added that the Israeli occupation still controls more than 61% of the Gaza Strip and continues attempts to expand into the remaining areas.
He also noted that 80% of Gaza’s areas have no water due to destroyed supply lines, and the territory needs over 200,000 mobile caravans to meet housing needs—not just traditional tents.
Shawa further pointed out a severe shortage of medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory materials, with more than 70% of lab supplies unavailable, and a lack of medications for treating colds and influenza.
He revealed that more than 7,000 amputations have been carried out among the injured, emphasizing that the health situation represents a severe humanitarian crisis that requires the rapid entry of medical and housing aid to alleviate suffering.
The Israeli army’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said on Friday that the Rafah border crossing will reopen on Sunday for movement between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
It added that Gaza residents will be allowed to return from Egypt to the Strip in coordination with Egypt, but only those who left Gaza during the war and after obtaining prior security approval from Israel.
Rafah Crossing is the main entry and exit point for Gaza’s more than two million residents.
The Israeli army took control of Rafah Crossing in May 2024 during a ground operation in southern Gaza’s Rafah city, after which the crossing was closed and its buildings destroyed.
