Medical evacuation from Gaza ready as Rafah crossing reopens: UN office
United Nations, June 11
With the reopening of the Rafah crossing, UN humanitarians said medical evacuations of people seeking treatment outside Gaza are now ready to resume.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border reopened for a limited number of people travelling in both directions after a two-day closure imposed by the Israeli authorities. Assistance was also offered to people returning to the Gaza Strip.
The Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing also reopened for the transport of food and other humanitarian supplies. However, operations remain severely constrained as it is currently the only crossing point available for cargo, OCHA said in its latest situation update, reports Xinhua news agency.
The World Food Programme reached about 1.4 million people in the Gaza Strip last month with assistance, including food parcels, bread bundles, hot meals and malnutrition treatment. The agency also provided cash assistance to about 500,000 people, according to an update posted on its website.
Palestinian armed elements backed by Israeli forces on Tuesday detained several Palestinians, including ambulance crew members from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
In a post on the social media platform X, OHCHR urged Israel to ensure public order and safety in Gaza and to refrain from and prevent "such violations of international law, including the obstruction of medical services."
In the West Bank, reports of violence by Israeli forces and settlers against Palestinians continue.
OCHA said that from the beginning of the year through Monday, 57 Palestinians, including 13 children and two women, were killed across the West Bank. Of them, 41 were killed by Israeli forces, 13 by Israeli settlers and three by either Israeli forces or settlers.
So far this year, OCHA has documented more than 980 settler-related incidents resulting in casualties or property damage across more than 230 communities, averaging six incidents per day.
"The United Nations reiterates its call for the protection of civilians, including health-care workers, and full respect for international law," the humanitarian office said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Heartbreaking to read about the detention of ambulance crew members from the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Medical workers should never be targets. India's own experience with conflict shows how vital it is to protect healthcare. The UN's call for protection is absolutely necessary but we need action, not just statements. 🇮🇳✊
As someone from the US, I find it hard to watch this conflict escalate. The reopening is a small positive step, but the bigger picture—980 settler-related incidents in the West Bank this year alone—is alarming. Why isn't more being done to protect civilians on both sides? This isn't just a Middle East issue; it's a global humanitarian crisis.
I'm glad the WFP reached 1.4 million people with food, but 500,000 people getting cash assistance in a war zone? That's a drop in the ocean. The real issue is the blockade and the violence. India should use its diplomatic clout to push for a ceasefire—after all, we've always championed peace and non-alignment. 🌍🕊️
I appreciate the UN's updates, but it's frustrating to see the same patterns repeating. The Kerem Shalom crossing being the only one for cargo is a bottleneck. And the OHCHR's warning about Israel ensuring public order is basic—how can civilians get medicine or food if crossings keep closing? The international community needs to stop being silent.
Respectfully, I think the article misses the bigger picture. The focus on medical evacuations is necessary, but what about the 57 Palestinians killed in the West Bank this year? Including
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.