Palestinians 'held hostage' as Israel keeps Rafah crossing closed

For thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, hope for movement beyond the borders has once again turned into frustration.

On Wednesday, the Israeli occupation government reversed its earlier decision to open the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian-Palestinian border, leaving patients, families, and ordinary citizens in a state of confusion and despair.

On Sunday, Israel announced its intention to operate the crossing according to previous procedures, following a brief period of limited openings between 2 February and 27 February.

During those 27 days, roughly 1,934 people crossed in both directions, including 1,075 patients and their companions leaving Gaza for treatment abroad, while 859 returned after completing their journeys, according to the Hamas-run government media office.

However, the Palestinian side received no official notice of the crossing's reopening, leaving thousands in a state of confusion and uncertainty as they waited for urgent medical care, according to sources at the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Palestinian preparations halted

Mohammad Abu Afash, Gaza area coordinator for the Medical Relief Association, told The New Arab that Palestinian authorities had been prepared for the crossing to open to allow patients to leave, but Israel halted the process at the last minute, as has often been the case in similar situations.

"Health authorities, the World Health Organisation, and other relevant institutions had taken all necessary steps to facilitate the departure of patients who are suffering greatly," Abu Afash said.

"Yet the Palestinian side was informed that the crossing would not open today, blocking thousands of patients from receiving urgent surgeries and treatments that cannot be carried out inside Gaza," he added.

He emphasised the dire health conditions, noting that many patients endure pain day and night without adequate medications or relief.

He urged urgent intervention by Egyptian authorities and responsible agencies to provide all necessary facilities for patients to travel for treatment.

The Ministry of Health estimates that around 23,000 patients and injured individuals urgently require travel for treatment outside the territory, as Gaza's healthcare system remains near collapse after years of blockade and the repeated destruction caused by the ongoing war with Israel since October 2023.

Mamdouh Abu Zeid, a cancer patient awaiting urgent care, told TNA, "My condition cannot wait any longer. Each day without treatment increases my pain and suffering. We were counting on the crossing opening today, but the sudden reversal has thrown us back to square one."

"Our hopes rest on embassies and international organisations, but ultimately, our fate is in the hands of the Israelis," he said.

Similarly, Khalil Al-Masri, a Gaza resident, said that Israel's stance reflects a long-term strategy of keeping Palestinians under pressure.

"Israel does not want to make our lives easier, whether for travel or humanitarian aid. Every decision about our lives is driven by its political interests. This is part of a strategy to keep Gaza's population as hostages," said al-Masri.

"The sudden reversal of the crossing opening proves once again that Palestinians can only wait and endure, while Israelis manipulate life and death," he added.

Palestinians held hostage by Israel

On the other hand, a Palestinian official at the embassy in Egypt told TNA that around 30,000 Palestinians had registered to return to Gaza. Still, under the current procedures, it could take months before they can travel, leaving their lives entirely at the mercy of Israeli decisions.

He said that this situation amplifies the suffering of patients and other urgent humanitarian cases while increasing public frustration amid persistent shortages of medications and medical staff.

The Rafah crossing reversal coincides with another Israeli decision announced Tuesday: the suspension of UNICEF aid shipments from Egypt to Gaza after Israeli authorities claimed to have foiled an attempt to smuggle tobacco and nicotine in the shipments coordinated by the organisation.

The Israeli Civil Administration (COGAT) said in a statement: "Israel informed the head of UNICEF of the suspension of humanitarian shipments to Gaza originating from Egypt, following the thwarting of an attempt to smuggle tobacco and nicotine discovered today at Kerem Abu Salem crossing."

The statement claimed that the suspension will remain in effect until the agency provides investigation results and an official response.

These developments highlight Israel's continued tight control over Gaza's borders, which have been heavily restricted since the outbreak of war with Hamas in October 2023.

Israel continues to dominate nearly half of the territory, including all crossings, despite the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in October 2025.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that Kerem Abu Salem is the only entry point for humanitarian aid and commercial goods into Gaza and urged the opening of additional crossings to expand aid delivery.

While UN agencies have delivered food, hygiene kits, medicines, and animal feed to the territory, the assistance covers only a fraction of the growing needs.

For years, Palestinians in Gaza have endured a complex reality where Israeli blockade, repeated war destruction, and lack of essential services intersect, making daily life hostage to political decisions.

Each announcement of crossing openings or aid suspensions demonstrates that Palestinians live under what some describe as "supervised existence," with their needs and destinies determined by Israel's security and political priorities.

Abdelrahman Abu Ouda, from Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, told TNA, "We try to live our lives despite everything, but each passing day reminds us that our lives are not our own, and every decision about travel, medical care, or even food depends on those controlling the borders."