The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza to facilitate the entry of humanitarian supplies. This call comes after the Israeli military took control of the Palestinian side of the crossing earlier this month.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative for the West Bank and Gaza, revealed that 60 WHO trucks are currently stationed in the Egyptian city of Al Arish, approximately 45 kilometers away from Rafah, awaiting permission to enter Gaza.
Peeperkorn highlighted the urgent need for medical evacuations from Gaza, stating that thousands of individuals require immediate transport for medical treatment. However, with the closure of the Rafah crossing, such evacuations have been halted, exacerbating an already critical situation.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari recently disclosed the discovery of tunnels leading into Egypt's Sinai along the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land running along the Gaza-Egypt border. This finding has raised security concerns and contributed to the closure of the Rafah crossing.
The WHO has emphasized the severe shortages of essential medical supplies in Gaza, particularly medicines and specialized care for treating burns. Peeperkorn noted that Gaza lacks the necessary facilities to provide comprehensive treatment for extensive burns, further underscoring the urgency of reopening the Rafah crossing.
Recent tragic events, such as an Israeli strike on a displaced persons camp in Rafah, resulting in 45 fatalities and over 200 injuries, have underscored the critical need for humanitarian access to Gaza.
