First group of Palestinian patients leave Gaza Strip to Egypt

(MENAFN) The first group of Palestinian patients and wounded individuals left the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt yesterday, marking the first such departure since May. This transfer was part of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on May 19, allowing approximately 50 sick and injured children, along with their companions, to travel to Cairo for medical treatment.

Buses and ambulances carrying the patients crossed from Gaza to Egypt, and Al-Qahira News channel showed footage of two ambulances arriving with wounded individuals, including one with immunodeficiency and another who had suffered a foot amputation. Both were then transferred to Egyptian Ministry of Health ambulances for further care. The remaining patients will be transported in stages, with 50 more expected to be transferred in ambulances, accompanied by 53 escorts.

Mohammed Zaqout, director of hospitals at Gaza’s Ministry of Health, stated that the first group to leave consisted of 50 children, evacuated from Gaza hospitals to be treated in Egypt. However, he noted that the process for receiving these patients in Egyptian hospitals was not clear. Zaqout emphasized that while this first group is relatively small, around 6,000 patients are ready for treatment, and another 12,000 urgently need medical attention. The European Union had announced the resumption of its civilian mission at the Rafah crossing last Friday, facilitating the transfer of Palestinians needing medical care abroad.

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