Story perspectives

Israel's Rafah closure stalls Gaza patient evacuations, 1,200 dead

6/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Israel has kept the Rafah crossing closed, halting evacuations and leaving over 18,500 Gaza patients, including a blind 15-year-old, awaiting transport.
The World Health Organization says six to ten patients die daily while waiting abroad, resulting in about 1,200 deaths since May 2024.
Save the Children says the current evacuation pace could require more than a year to move all patients while families lack eye-pressure medication, clean water and rehabilitation.

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Story summary

Israel has kept the Rafah crossing closed, halting evacuations and leaving over 18,500 Gaza patients, including a blind 15-year-old, awaiting transport.
The World Health Organization says six to ten patients die daily while waiting abroad, resulting in about 1,200 deaths since May 2024.
Save the Children says the current evacuation pace could require more than a year to move all patients while families lack eye-pressure medication, clean water and rehabilitation.