Gaza: First Patients Evacuated Via Rafah Crossing – WHO Update

First Patients Evacuated from Gaza Through Rafah Crossing

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 – The first medical evacuations from Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt have taken place, marking a limited reopening of the vital route for patients seeking care. A World Health Organization (WHO) official confirmed that five patients were transferred on Monday, February 2, 2026.

“On the second of February, WHO and partners supported the medical evacuation of five patients and seven companions to Egypt via the Rafah crossing,” said WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier. This is the first such medical evacuation through the Rafah crossing since a brief period in early 2025 during a ceasefire, when a limited number of patients were able to exit Gaza for treatment.

The reopening, while limited, offers a crucial lifeline for the over 18,500 patients currently awaiting evacuation from Gaza. These individuals require medical attention for both trauma injuries sustained during the ongoing conflict and chronic conditions like cancer and diabetes, according to the WHO.

More than 3,000 of those patients in need of evacuation are children, a UNICEF spokesperson has reported. Gaza health authorities are currently responsible for prioritizing which patients receive evacuation based on the severity of their conditions.

The need for these evacuations is dire. Lindmeier emphasized the tragic reality that patients have already died while waiting for the opportunity to receive medical care. “We know that patients have died basically waiting for evacuation, and that’s something which is horrible when you know just a few miles or kilometers outside that border, help is available,” he stated.

The Rafah crossing’s reopening allows for limited traffic, as reported by multiple news outlets. While the details of the restrictions remain unclear, the initial evacuations signal a potential, albeit small, step towards easing the healthcare crisis in Gaza.

The evacuations come after a period of restricted access, highlighting the challenges faced by Palestinians seeking medical treatment outside of Gaza. The limited nature of the reopening suggests continued obstacles and the urgent need for sustained and expanded access to healthcare for those in need.