News|GazaUN chief urges Gaza aid as Israel blocks most medical evacuees at RafahAl-Shifa Hospital director says blocking medical evacuations through Rafah crossing could be ‘death sentence’ for many.
On Tue, Feb 3, 2026, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel to allow immediate humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. This request comes as Israeli authorities continue to restrict the movement of Palestinians seeking medical…
On Tue, Feb 3, 2026, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel to allow immediate humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. This request comes as Israeli authorities continue to restrict the movement of Palestinians seeking medical treatment outside the enclave.
At the recently reopened Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, over 100 ailing Palestinians have gathered, aiming to receive medical care abroad. Guterres emphasized the necessity for rapid and unimpeded humanitarian relief through the Rafah crossing during a statement at the UN headquarters in New York.
Reports indicate that only 16 Palestinians were permitted to cross into Egypt via Rafah on Tuesday, while the previous day saw just five individuals allowed to leave and 12 re-enter Gaza. This is significantly below the 50 individuals Israeli officials stated would be permitted to travel each way through the crossing.
The crossing process is reportedly prolonged, with Palestinians required to leave all belongings when passing through. Presently, approximately 20,000 individuals in Gaza await urgent medical attention abroad.
On Tue, Feb 3, 2026, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel to allow immediate humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Separately, Israeli forces have shot and killed a 19-year-old Palestinian near Khan Younis, despite an existing ceasefire agreement that commenced in October. Gaza's Health Ministry reports that this incident raises the number of Palestinians killed since the ceasefire began to 529.
Most of Gaza’s medical infrastructure has been severely damaged, leaving many critically injured and chronically ill patients with limited options for care. This situation has been exacerbated by the lack of medical supplies and equipment entering the region.
The Rafah crossing was expected to reopen in mid-October as part of the initial phase of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement. However, it remained closed until Israel retrieved the remains of deceased captives held in Gaza, the last of which were returned on January 26.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
