Gaza – Rafah crossing reopened for a limited number of medical evacuations

Olga Chervko, spokeswoman for the office, stressed from Gaza the need to effectively reopen the crossings. “So that it allows the voluntary entry and exit of individuals to and from Gaza, as well as the entry of humanitarian shipments and commercial supplies.”

She said that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is still very serious, and that the living conditions of the population are very difficult.

Chervko stated that humanitarian work faces many obstacles that prevent the expansion of aid and humanitarian services at the speed necessary to meet the needs of the population. She said: “The needs remain enormous, and exceed our ability to respond due to these constraints.”

She added that these obstacles include severe restrictions imposed on materials that the Israeli authorities consider to be dual-use, such as wood, shelter restoration tools, cement, and heavy equipment for removing rubble, as well as large quantities of medical supplies.

She pointed out that health care has been greatly affected, as the percentage of functioning health facilities does not exceed 40%, and most of them are working partially.

A spokeswoman for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Gaza said the same applies to most other civilian infrastructure, including water, sanitation and hygiene systems that need rehabilitation.

She pointed out that the tools, equipment and spare parts needed for rehabilitation are also among the materials subject to strict restrictions.