As the Rafah crossing reopens, Palestinians are facing an impossible decision: weighing their need for medical treatment abroad against the risk of being permanently barred from returning home.
For many in Gaza, the prospect is a daunting one. Trauma surgeon Dr Mohammed Tahir has seen firsthand the devastating consequences of living under blockade. When he volunteered in Gaza last year, he witnessed patients struggling to access basic care due to restrictions on movement and medical supplies.
Now, with the Rafah crossing re-opened, Tahir fears that opting for treatment abroad will be a one-way ticket. "If you choose to go abroad for treatment," he says, "you may never return to Gaza." This fear is not unfounded – Palestinian refugees often face severe restrictions on their ability to re-enter the country.
The Israeli-Egyptian blockade of Gaza has resulted in an estimated 1.9 million Palestinians living under a state of siege. While some have managed to escape the enclave through tunnels, many more rely on the Rafah crossing for access to the outside world. For those with medical needs, the decision to seek treatment abroad can be a difficult one.
The restrictions on re-entry are further complicated by reports that exit permits will require Palestinians who leave Gaza for treatment to obtain a "green card," which is only issued in rare cases. This means that even if patients successfully receive life-saving care abroad, they may still face significant barriers when attempting to return home.
As the Rafah crossing reopens, these concerns are likely to grow. With limited access to medical facilities and facing severe restrictions on movement, Palestinians are being forced to weigh their need for healthcare against the risks of never being able to return to Gaza.
For many in Gaza, the prospect is a daunting one. Trauma surgeon Dr Mohammed Tahir has seen firsthand the devastating consequences of living under blockade. When he volunteered in Gaza last year, he witnessed patients struggling to access basic care due to restrictions on movement and medical supplies.
Now, with the Rafah crossing re-opened, Tahir fears that opting for treatment abroad will be a one-way ticket. "If you choose to go abroad for treatment," he says, "you may never return to Gaza." This fear is not unfounded – Palestinian refugees often face severe restrictions on their ability to re-enter the country.
The Israeli-Egyptian blockade of Gaza has resulted in an estimated 1.9 million Palestinians living under a state of siege. While some have managed to escape the enclave through tunnels, many more rely on the Rafah crossing for access to the outside world. For those with medical needs, the decision to seek treatment abroad can be a difficult one.
The restrictions on re-entry are further complicated by reports that exit permits will require Palestinians who leave Gaza for treatment to obtain a "green card," which is only issued in rare cases. This means that even if patients successfully receive life-saving care abroad, they may still face significant barriers when attempting to return home.
As the Rafah crossing reopens, these concerns are likely to grow. With limited access to medical facilities and facing severe restrictions on movement, Palestinians are being forced to weigh their need for healthcare against the risks of never being able to return to Gaza.
. If people can't get treatment abroad because they'll be barred from coming back, it's like, what even is the point? 
They're already struggling under that blockade... I don't think it's fair at all. And now with this whole green card thing, it's like, extra complicated 
. I mean, can't we just find a way to make sure people can get the help they need without having to risk being trapped abroad? 
It's like, really hard to understand why this is happening 
like, shouldn't they have access to medical care regardless of where they live? and the fact that they're even worried about not being able to return home after getting treated is just awful 
1.9 million ppl living under this blockade is insane 
i feel so bad 4 those patients who cant get treatment in gaza cuz of all these restrictions 
. now they gotta choose between life saving treatment abroad 
or staying in gaza, where they might struggle to find care again 
. this makes it hard to decide what to do.
. gotta weigh pros and cons carefully 
.
. what even is a "green card" anyway? sounds like more bureaucratic BS to me 
. and 1.9 million ppl stuck in this limbo? that's insane 
and I'm still trying to process everything. Have you ever noticed how some restaurants have those weird ' Secret Menu' items that are basically like, totally unofficial? Like, who comes up with this stuff?! "You want the secret sauce? That's gonna be $10 extra" 
... the blockade is literally killing them and it feels so unfair 
1.9 mil ppl are literally living under siege 
it's so scary for people in Gaza who are struggling to get medical help. I mean, they're literally facing a one-way ticket if they choose to leave for treatment abroad 
.
. i mean, 1.9 million ppl living under a state of siege? that's just cruel 
.
... maybe with some more open borders or better international support? 