Gaza patients in limbo amid Israel’s ‘pilot reopening’ of Rafah crossing | Israel-Palestine conflict
The reopening of the Rafah land crossing offers a fragile hope for thousands of Palestinians in Gaza requiring urgent medical care unavailable within the territory. Among them is Nebal al-Hessi, a 25-year-old mother who lost both hands in an artillery attack on October 7, 2024, while sheltering with her family in the Bureij refugee camp.
A Life Interrupted
Nebal, an English translation graduate and mother to two-year-old Rita, now relies entirely on family for basic daily tasks. She recounts the moment of the attack, recalling trying to get an internet signal to contact family when the shell struck, resulting in the amputation of her hands. She has undergone two abdominal surgeries and spent 40 days in the hospital, but now faces a lack of long-term care in displacement tents.
“I can’t eat or drink on my own… even getting dressed, my mother, sister, and sister-in-law mainly help me,” Nebal shared. Her greatest sorrow stems from her inability to care for her daughter, Rita, who asks to be held and nurtured as other children are.
Beyond Nebal: A System Under Strain
Nebal’s case is not unique. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, thousands of wounded individuals require specialized treatment unavailable within Gaza. Sixteen-year-old Nada Arhouma is another example, having lost an eye and sustained facial fractures from shrapnel while displaced in Sheikh Radwan, Gaza City. Her father, Abdul Rahman Arhouma, reports that repeated attempts to restore her vision have failed.
Raed Hamad, 52, is also desperate to leave Gaza to continue treatment for kidney cancer, which was interrupted by the outbreak of war in October 2023. He describes the struggle to access medication and supplies as “devastating,” noting a significant weight loss due to the lack of treatment and deteriorating conditions.
A Tentative Reopening
Palestinian authorities announced arrangements to open the Rafah crossing for batches of wounded people and medical patients on Sunday. However, the process remains ambiguous, with Israel stating it will only allow those on pre-approved lists to cross, without a clear timetable or criteria. Nebal has received prior notification that she might be on those lists, but has yet to receive confirmation.
The World Health Organization has confirmed that Gaza’s health system is “on the brink of collapse,” and delays in medical transfers threaten lives. Families are left in a state of uncertainty, unsure if the reopening is substantive or merely symbolic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries did Nebal al-Hessi sustain?
Nebal al-Hessi sustained severe injuries, including the complete amputation of both upper limbs up to the elbows, internal bleeding, and a leg injury, as a result of an artillery attack on October 7, 2024.
What challenges does Nada Arhouma face?
Nada Arhouma lost one eye and sustained facial fractures from shrapnel. She requires reconstructive surgery and a prosthetic eye, but access to this treatment is dependent on the reopening of the Rafah crossing.
What is the current state of the healthcare system in Gaza?
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, Gaza’s healthcare system is “on the brink of collapse,” with a severe lack of resources and an inability to provide specialized treatment for thousands of wounded individuals.
As the Rafah crossing’s opening remains uncertain, the fate of Nebal, Nada, Raed, and countless others hangs in the balance. Will access to critical medical care be readily available, or will bureaucratic hurdles and political considerations continue to impede their path to recovery?