Gaza patients face agonising delays for medical evacuation

On 5 July 2026, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met separately with delegations from Hamas and Hezbollah in Tehran. These meetings occurred during a period when both groups were present in the Iranian capital to participate in funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The gatherings marked a significant diplomatic engagement involving Iran’s top diplomat and representatives of two influential non-state actors in the Middle East.

During the meeting with the Hamas delegation, led by Mohammad Darwish, discussions focused on the current situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The Hamas representatives expressed their condolences for the late Supreme Leader and shared insights into the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians living under occupation. Similarly, the Hezbollah delegation, headed by senior official Muhammad Fneish, conveyed condolences from the group’s leader, Naim Qassem, and engaged in dialogue with Araghchi regarding regional developments.

Araghchi emphasized Iran’s commitment to resolving conflicts in the region, particularly in Lebanon, in accordance with the ceasefire memorandum. He paid tribute to the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, acknowledging his role in shaping the group’s strategic direction. This meeting underscored the continuing ties between Iran and its allies in the region, despite the complex geopolitical landscape.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with many Palestinians facing agonizing delays in accessing critical medical care outside the enclave. One such case involves Amina Abu al-Kas, whose battle against a severe necrotising infection ultimately proved fatal due to the slow approval process for her medical evacuation. Her son, Saber, described how the hope of leaving Gaza for treatment brought temporary relief to his mother, only for that hope to be dashed when she succumbed to her illness before her departure could be finalized.

According to reports, Amina is among approximately 300 Palestinians who have died while awaiting medical evacuations since the implementation of the US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO) collaborates with local authorities to facilitate the transfer of patients through Israeli-controlled border crossings with Israel and Egypt. However, the process remains fraught with bureaucratic hurdles and security checks that significantly delay the movement of patients seeking treatment abroad.

The Gaza health ministry estimates that around 15,000 individuals are still waiting for medical evacuation, with some requiring urgent attention for war-related injuries and others suffering from chronic illnesses such as cancer. The fluctuation in this number reflects the dynamic nature of the situation, as patient conditions evolve and some cases are resolved while others remain unresolved.

Efforts to expedite the evacuation process have been hindered by several factors, including the stringent security screening procedures mandated by Israeli authorities and the limited availability of crossing points. According to the acting undersecretary of the Gaza health ministry, Maher Shamia, the primary obstacles include the prolonged security screening and the restrictions placed by Israeli authorities on the frequency of departures. Medical evacuations through the Rafah crossing with Egypt occur only three times per week, while those through the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel are permitted once weekly.

Israeli officials have stated that departures depend on the receipt of formal requests from receiving countries willing to accommodate patients and the completion of necessary security screenings by relevant authorities. They noted that the vast majority of requests submitted by countries and organizations have been approved since the beginning of 2025.

In addition to the medical evacuation crisis, tensions persist in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has accused Israeli forces of breaching the ceasefire agreement. The group alleged that Israeli fighter jets conducted strikes on residential areas in Nabatieh and Mayfadoun, while drones targeted regions near Far’un and Bint Jbeil. Explosions were also reported in Taybeh and Hadatha, prompting Hezbollah to reaffirm its readiness to defend its territory and population against perceived threats.

These incidents highlight the fragile state of the ceasefire and the ongoing challenges in implementing the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, which aims to bring an end to hostilities across multiple fronts. As the situation unfolds, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, hoping for a resolution that will alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire of regional conflicts.