Israel’s control of Rafah crossing leaves Gaza’s patients and students in life-or-death limbo
An injured Palestinian waits at the Rafah crossing, February 2026
Alaa Helou reports in The New Arab on 9 February 2026:
Since Monday, 2 February, the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing, under the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, has provided little relief to Gazans, as it has been heavily restricted by stringent Israeli controls.
Preventing what could have been a major breakthrough after almost two years of closure, official data reveals the full scale of the crisis. Over 20,000 patients urgently need medical care abroad, while around 2,000 students are waiting to travel for university.
But only around 180 Palestinians have left the Gaza Strip since the limited reopening, according to officials in the territory.
Additionally, thousands of holders of Arab and foreign documents are stuck in limbo, awaiting family reunification. With Israel’s last-minute travel refusals and the implementation of a tightly controlled exit process — limiting departures to only hundreds daily — thousands remain stranded.
Against this backdrop, calls for a full and sustainable opening of the crossing have intensified. As the sole gateway for many Palestinians to essential services, the Rafah crossing is vital not only for saving lives but also for securing futures and alleviating the burdens of prolonged waiting.
Weighing the severity of the medical emergency, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that 6,000 injured people require immediate evacuation, including at least 500 patients who need daily transfers to prevent life-threatening consequences, but slow procedures and Israeli-imposed obstacles are exacerbating the crisis.