Gaza: The Palestinian Red Crescent Society announced the successful evacuation of seven patients along with 14 companions from Gaza to Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. This action is part of ongoing humanitarian efforts aimed at providing necessary medical treatment for Palestinian patients outside the Gaza Strip.

According to Anadolu Agency, the patients were initially gathered at the society's hospital in Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza, where they received essential medical care prior to their travel. The evacuation process is coordinated with the World Health Organisation to ensure patients can access necessary treatments despite challenging humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Gaza's health authorities estimate that approximately 22,000 wounded and sick patients are currently seeking to leave the enclave for medical treatment abroad. The healthcare system in Gaza is nearing a state of collapse due to ongoing conflict, described as Israel's genocidal war. In response, Israel reopened the Rafah crossing on February 2 under stringent conditions, which had been closed since May 2024.

Reports from Israeli and Egyptian media had anticipated that up to 50 Palestinians would be permitted to cross daily in each direction. However, the actual numbers have been significantly lower, with only small groups crossing since the reopening. Israeli conditions allow only those Palestinians who left Gaza after the outbreak of the war to return, following rigorous security checks.

The crossing's reopening follows a ceasefire that ended a two-year Israeli offensive starting in October 2023. This conflict resulted in the deaths of nearly 72,000 Palestinians and injuries to over 171,000, decimating approximately 90% of Gaza's infrastructure. Despite the ceasefire in October 2025, violations by the Israeli army have continued, resulting in further casualties, as reported by Gaza's Health Ministry.