Egypt opened Rafah Crossing for three days
The Egyptian Authorities reopened the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt in both directions for three days on 21, 22 and 23 December. According to the Director of Border Crossings in Gaza, approximately 1,100 people, mainly patients and students, were able to leave Gaza and 900 to return. Furthermore, the Egyptian authorities allowed the entry of approximately 120 tons of medical supplies and seven ambulances through the Egyptian Red Crescent. The medical supplies and ambulances were provided by Algeria and Qatar charities.
The Rafah crossing was closed since 24 October, following an attack in the Sinai during which 30 Egyptian soldiers were killed; since then, it was partially opened for travel into Gaza only, on four days. According to the Border and Crossing Authority in Gaza, there are around 17,000 registered people, including medical patients, waiting to exit Gaza, in addition to an estimated 37,000 others who wish to exit Gaza, including to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage.
Cleaning services to health facilities in Gaza resume after 16 days of suspension
On 18 December the cleaning companies that provide the bulk of services to 13 hospitals and 56 health centers in Gaza under the auspices of the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) reached an agreement with the Ministry of Health, ending a 16-day strike.
According to the MoH, the strike caused the postponement of around 2,800 surgeries and discontinued medical attention to approximately 50,000 patients, including 4000 children, for fear of contamination and spread of diseases due to the accumulation of medical waste | |