In one of the Latest News developments from the ongoing Gaza crisis, thousands of sick patients are now facing serious health risks after the sudden closure of the Rafah crossing, the main border gate connecting Gaza with Egypt. The shutdown has stopped medical evacuations, leaving many families waiting helplessly for treatment that is only available outside the Gaza Strip.
This Breaking News story highlights the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where hospitals are already struggling with limited resources and medicines.
A Mother’s Hope Shattered at the Last Moment
On February 28, Lama Abu Reida believed her family’s long wait was finally coming to an end.
Her baby daughter Alma, who is less than five months old, suffers from a serious lung cyst and cannot breathe without the support of an oxygen machine. Doctors in Gaza had explained that Alma needed surgery that could only be performed outside the territory.
For weeks, the family had been preparing for their journey.
- Alma’s medical reports were ready
- A small travel bag had been packed
- The family was preparing to cross into Egypt through Rafah
- From there, they planned to travel to Jordan for the life-saving operation
However, just one day before their planned departure on March 1, everything changed.
Israeli authorities suddenly closed all Gaza crossings “until further notice”, citing security concerns related to rising Israel-Iran tensions. The unexpected decision stopped Alma’s medical evacuation immediately.
“They told me the crossing was closed because of the war situation,” Abu Reida said, struggling to control her emotions.
For the family, the news felt like their hopes had been taken away overnight.
Life Inside the Hospital
Alma has been staying in Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis for more than three months. During this time, her mother has remained by her side day and night.
According to Abu Reida, her baby’s condition is extremely fragile.
- Alma cannot survive without oxygen support
- She becomes exhausted quickly if oxygen levels drop
- Doctors say surgery is the only solution
“My daughter’s life depends on just one operation,” her mother said. “If she gets the surgery, she could live a normal life.”
But every day of delay increases the risk.
“If the travel keeps getting delayed, I don’t know what might happen,” she added.
This situation is becoming a major concern in the Daily news highlights coming out of Gaza.
Rafah Crossing: Gaza’s Lifeline
The Rafah crossing is extremely important for people living in Gaza.
It serves as the main gateway for:
- Patients who need treatment abroad
- Students traveling for education
- Families seeking safety or medical care
- Aid supplies entering Gaza
During the war that began in October 2023, the crossing remained closed for long periods.
On February 1 this year, Israel allowed a limited reopening as part of a temporary ceasefire arrangement with Hamas. During that time, some patients were finally able to leave Gaza for urgent treatment.
However, only a small number of people managed to travel before the crossing closed again on February 28.
Now, thousands of patients remain stuck on waiting lists.
A Mother Who Lost Both Children
While Lama Abu Reida still hopes her daughter might receive treatment, another mother has already experienced the worst possible outcome.
Hadeel Zorob, a 32-year-old mother, lost both of her children within weeks.
- Her son Sohaib, aged six, died on March 1, 2025
- Her daughter Lana, aged eight, died on February 18
Both children had a rare genetic disease that slowly destroyed their body functions. Doctors had recommended treatment abroad, but the family never received the medical travel approval in time.
“I watched my children die slowly in front of my eyes,” Zorob said through tears.
Lana was only a few days away from traveling when she passed away.
“When the news came that the crossing was closed again, it felt like my pain returned,” she said.
Her words reflect the heartbreaking reality of many families in Gaza today.
Life in Displacement Made Treatment Impossible
During the war, Zorob’s family was forced to leave their home and move to a tent in the al-Mawasi area.
Taking care of two seriously ill children in those conditions was extremely difficult.
- Both children were bedridden
- They required constant medical monitoring
- Their blood sugar levels had to be checked regularly
- They needed special food and fluids
All of this had to be managed inside a tent without basic facilities.
“We tried everything,” Zorob said. “We even asked the Red Cross and the World Health Organization to help bring medicine.”
But help never arrived in time.
“The closure of the crossings killed my children,” she said with deep pain.
Thousands Still Waiting for Treatment
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 20,000 patients and wounded people are currently waiting to leave Gaza for medical care.
Among them are:
- Around 4,000 cancer patients
- About 4,500 children needing specialized treatment
- Nearly 440 life-saving emergency cases
- Almost 6,000 wounded people needing long-term care
Human rights organizations say the closure of Rafah is worsening the already severe humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights described the closure as a form of collective punishment that could cost many more lives.
Cancer Patients Also Facing Severe Struggles
For Amal al-Talouli, the border closure has made her battle with cancer even harder.
The 43-year-old mother of two has been suffering from breast cancer for five years. Although she received treatment before the war, the disease returned and spread to other parts of her body, including her spine.
Her situation became worse after she lost her home during the war and had to move in with relatives.
According to Talouli, medical care inside Gaza is now extremely limited.
- Medicines are running out
- Specialized doctors are scarce
- Chemotherapy treatment is difficult to continue
- Nutrition shortages make recovery harder
“Chemotherapy requires proper food and nutrition,” she said. “But famine and malnutrition have made it much harder.”
She added that the closure of the crossings is making everything worse.
“No medicines are entering and no treatments are coming,” she said.
A Simple Request from Gaza’s Families
Despite the ongoing war and uncertainty, many families in Gaza are asking for just one thing.
They want the Rafah crossing reopened, so that sick patients and children can travel for treatment.
For mothers like Lama Abu Reida, the hope is simple.
She just wants her baby to have the chance to survive.
“Is it too much to ask,” she says, “to let our children receive the treatment that could save their lives?”
