Full Breakdown
Hamas Checkpoint Delays Medical Evacuation of Over 100 Gaza Residents
7/2/2026, 11:32:02 AM
Delayed Medical Evacuation at Kerem Shalom
On 29 June, Israel authorized more than 100 Gaza residents to travel to a third country for medical treatment via the Kerem Shalom crossing. COGAT reported that the convoy was held for over an hour at a checkpoint erected by Hamas, delaying the evacuation. The United Nations condemned the delay as an illegal obstruction of humanitarian aid.
Background and Humanitarian Flow
Since the war began, Israel has permitted roughly 50,000 Gazans—mostly patients and escorts—to leave for medical care abroad. The Rafah crossing, which links Gaza to Egypt, has remained functional throughout the ceasefire, handling thousands of civilian movements. It recorded about 4,100 entries into Gaza and 4,400 exits to the outside world.
Key Actors
The main parties are COGAT, the Israeli authority overseeing civilian movement; Hamas, the de-facto governing body in Gaza that set up the checkpoint; and the United Nations, which issued the condemnation. The Israeli Defense Ministry granted the medical exit permission.
Official Statements, Criticism, and Gaps
COGAT emphasized that Israel fully authorized the departure and that the hour-long hold-up stemmed from a Hamas-installed checkpoint. It accused Hamas of spreading false claims that Israel blocks sick Gazans, noting that accusations against Israel receive swift attention while Hamas’s actions receive little scrutiny from human-rights organizations. The UN, referencing the same incident, condemned the forces linked to Gaza’s de-facto authorities for hindering humanitarian convoys. No Hamas response appears in the available reports, leaving a gap in verification of the checkpoint’s purpose and the exact delay duration.
Verbatim Quotes
- “held up for more than one hour at a checkpoint that Hamas terrorists set up.” — COGAT spokesperson
- “When Hamas continues to spread lies to the world, saying Israel is hindering sick patients from Gaza from exiting the Gaza Strip for medical treatment, the reality again told a different story,” — COGAT spokesperson
- “forces affiliated with the de facto authorities in Gaza,” e.g., Hamas, for hindering humanitarian efforts “by stopping convoys for inspection and entering U.N. warehouses and facilities, which is illegal.” — United Nations statement
- “While accusations against Israel receive immediate attention, Hamas’s actions are time and again ignored by human rights organizations, despite their harm to the civilian population,” — COGAT spokesperson
What’s Next
The Rafah crossing continues to operate, handling thousands of entries and exits. International observers have called for transparent oversight of any security checkpoints that could impede future humanitarian evacuations.
