At least 18 people have been killed following renewed Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian officials. The escalation comes as the Rafah border crossing remains closed to patients, preventing critically ill and injured civilians from leaving Gaza for urgent medical treatment.
Deadly Strikes Hit Residential Areas in Gaza
Palestinian authorities reported that Israeli attacks targeted multiple locations across Gaza Strip, including residential neighborhoods and areas near shelters. Among the casualties were women and children, as emergency teams rushed victims to overcrowded hospitals already operating under severe shortages of medicine, fuel, and medical staff.
Local health officials stated that repeated strikes have made rescue operations increasingly difficult, with damaged roads and ongoing bombardment limiting access to affected areas.
Rafah Crossing Closure Halts Patient Evacuations
The humanitarian situation has worsened further as medical evacuations through the Rafah border crossing remain suspended. Palestinian officials confirmed that patients who had been approved for treatment outside Gaza are still unable to cross into Egypt, leaving many in critical condition without advanced care.
Doctors warn that delays in cross-border medical transfers could lead to preventable deaths, particularly among cancer patients, trauma victims, and those requiring specialized surgeries unavailable inside Gaza.
Growing Humanitarian Pressure
Aid agencies continue to express concern over the deteriorating conditions, citing limited access to clean water, food supplies, and electricity. With ongoing airstrikes and restricted movement, humanitarian groups say Gaza’s civilian population faces mounting risks as the conflict shows no signs of easing.
