Palestinians in Gaza Urgently Seek Access to Life-Saving Treatment as Ceasefire Offers Glimmer of Hope
As the Rafah crossing prepares to reopen, Palestinians in desperate need of medical care pray for a chance to seek treatment abroad.
Khan Younis and Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine – Inside a modest apartment in Khan Younis, amidst the wreckage of war, Abeer al-Awady anxiously awaits the start of the long-awaited ceasefire. For Abeer, the moment is critical, as her 15-year-old daughter, Hanaa, faces a life-threatening medical condition that Gaza’s depleted healthcare system cannot treat.
Hanaa’s face is covered by a blanket to shield her from the slightest light, which triggers unbearable pain in her swollen, cancer-ridden eyes. Her frail body is barely able to move, and her cries for relief have become a constant for Abeer, who is left powerless to provide any real comfort.
Diagnosed with cancer three months ago, Hanaa’s condition has rapidly deteriorated, leaving her unable to eat and reliant on a feeding tube. The only hope for her survival lies in receiving medical treatment abroad, but the Rafah crossing, which connects Gaza with Egypt, has been sealed off by Israeli forces since May.
“I don’t know how much longer Hanaa will survive,” Abeer says, clutching her daughter. The ceasefire, which was approved by the Israeli cabinet on Saturday, could open the Rafah crossing, offering a lifeline to Palestinians like Hanaa in urgent need of medical care. For many, this ceasefire is not just a political development but a matter of life and death.
The healthcare system in Gaza, already under strain from years of conflict, has been ravaged by the ongoing war, leaving it ill-equipped to handle the medical needs of those in critical condition. Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Medical Complex and head of the Department of Treatment Abroad, highlighted the dire situation: “There is nothing that Gaza’s healthcare sector could offer for these critical conditions. No medication, no specialists, no operations.”
The situation is particularly dire for those in need of specialized care. Since October 2023, only 5,300 Gazans have been able to travel abroad for treatment, with many unable to leave due to the closure of key crossings. Dr. Abu Salmiya noted that around 12,000 people in Gaza are in desperate need of treatment, including thousands of wounded from the conflict who have sustained life-changing injuries, such as amputations and spinal cord damage.
For Hanaa, and countless others like her, the Rafah crossing represents the only viable path to survival. However, uncertainty remains regarding the specifics of where patients will be able to go for treatment. While many have sought care in Arab and European countries as well as the U.S., the logistics of transporting patients and the coordination of resources remain unclear.
Hanaa’s story is echoed by families across Gaza. Shadia al-Farra’s daughter, Raghd, has been in critical condition since July 2024, when an Israeli airstrike hit their home, causing severe injuries. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, Raghd’s condition has only worsened. Like Hanaa, Raghd’s life depends on access to specialized care that Gaza cannot provide. Shadia fears time is running out: “If Rafah doesn’t open soon, Raghd won’t survive,” she says, her voice heavy with desperation.
The closure of the Rafah crossing and the restrictions on movement have exacerbated the already dire medical crisis in Gaza. According to Dr. Abu Salmiya, only 490 medical cases have been allowed to leave through the Karem Abu Salem border crossing since May, a stark contrast to the 12,000 urgent cases that need treatment abroad. The blockade has left many patients without the care they urgently need, with some even denied permission to travel with their family members.
As the ceasefire begins, there is hope that the Rafah crossing will finally reopen, offering a chance for patients to seek life-saving treatment. However, the situation remains precarious, and many questions remain about how the process will unfold. Dr. Abu Salmiya stressed the need for an influx of medical resources and a coordinated effort to ensure the safe and timely departure of patients.
The suffering of Gaza’s people, particularly those with critical medical conditions, continues to unfold as the war drags on. For families like Abeer’s, the ceasefire and the reopening of Rafah offer the last hope for survival. Without access to treatment abroad, many of Gaza’s most vulnerable patients face a grim future.