Thousands of wounded Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are facing an uncertain future as Israel prepares to reopen the Rafah crossing, the sole land border point with Egypt. The reopening is intended to facilitate medical evacuations for patients in dire need of treatment outside the territory, but families and doctors say that it has not yet materialized.
Nebal al-Hessi, a 25-year-old mother who lost both hands in an Israeli artillery attack last October, is one such patient. Despite being on the official travel list, Nebal remains in limbo as she awaits news about when she will be able to leave Gaza and receive the prosthetic limbs and treatment she desperately needs.
"I die a little every day because of my current situation," Nebal says, her hands shaking with emotion as she describes the pain of watching her daughter grow up without her. "My life is completely paralyzed."
Nebal's story is echoed by that of 16-year-old Nada Arhouma, whose face was badly damaged in a shrapnel attack while taking shelter in a displacement tent. Her father says that her condition has deteriorated over time despite treatment attempts in Gaza, and that the uncertainty surrounding the Rafah crossing reopening has left them feeling helpless.
The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned of the dire situation facing Gaza's healthcare system, which is on the brink of collapse due to a lack of resources and delays in medical evacuations. Patients like Nebal and Nada have been waiting for months or even years for treatment that could save their lives, but Israel's conditions for allowing them to cross into Egypt remain unclear.
Israel has said it will only allow patients whose names it has approved in advance to cross, without providing any clear criteria or announcement of daily numbers. This lack of transparency has left families in constant frustration and uncertainty, unable to plan for the future or make arrangements to care for their loved ones while they wait.
As the pilot reopening of Rafah continues, thousands of wounded Palestinians remain stuck in Gaza, forced to endure the devastating consequences of Israel's blockade on their healthcare system. The international community must act quickly to ensure that patients like Nebal and Nada receive the treatment they need to survive – and that those responsible for this humanitarian crisis are held accountable.
Nebal al-Hessi, a 25-year-old mother who lost both hands in an Israeli artillery attack last October, is one such patient. Despite being on the official travel list, Nebal remains in limbo as she awaits news about when she will be able to leave Gaza and receive the prosthetic limbs and treatment she desperately needs.
"I die a little every day because of my current situation," Nebal says, her hands shaking with emotion as she describes the pain of watching her daughter grow up without her. "My life is completely paralyzed."
Nebal's story is echoed by that of 16-year-old Nada Arhouma, whose face was badly damaged in a shrapnel attack while taking shelter in a displacement tent. Her father says that her condition has deteriorated over time despite treatment attempts in Gaza, and that the uncertainty surrounding the Rafah crossing reopening has left them feeling helpless.
The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned of the dire situation facing Gaza's healthcare system, which is on the brink of collapse due to a lack of resources and delays in medical evacuations. Patients like Nebal and Nada have been waiting for months or even years for treatment that could save their lives, but Israel's conditions for allowing them to cross into Egypt remain unclear.
Israel has said it will only allow patients whose names it has approved in advance to cross, without providing any clear criteria or announcement of daily numbers. This lack of transparency has left families in constant frustration and uncertainty, unable to plan for the future or make arrangements to care for their loved ones while they wait.
As the pilot reopening of Rafah continues, thousands of wounded Palestinians remain stuck in Gaza, forced to endure the devastating consequences of Israel's blockade on their healthcare system. The international community must act quickly to ensure that patients like Nebal and Nada receive the treatment they need to survive – and that those responsible for this humanitarian crisis are held accountable.
I'm literally so sick about these Palestinians stuck in Gaza, it's just heartbreaking 
. Like, we're living in 2025 and we still can't get our act together when it comes to basic human rights? 
The fact that thousands of people are being held back by Israel's blockade is just insane... I mean, what even is the point of having a "pilot reopening" if they're not actually allowing anyone to cross? 
It's like, come on guys, get your act together and let these people get the help they need! 
And can we please talk about how messed up it is that Nebal and Nada are just being left to suffer because of some bureaucratic red tape? I mean, their lives literally hang in the balance here... 
. I can only imagine how scared and helpless Nebal must be, waiting to leave Gaza without knowing when she'll get the prosthetic limbs and treatment she needs 
. The situation is literally dire 
and it's time for the international community to step in ASAP! We need to raise our voices and demand that something be done about this humanitarian crisis 
. I'm sending all my positive vibes to Nebal and Nada, and to their families who are going through this nightmare 
.
, it's like they're just playing with people's lives 
the world is watching, let's hope someone does something about this crisis soon 
it's not just about the patients, but also their families & loved ones who are suffering cuz of this uncertainty 
. We need the international community 2 step in & demand action!