Spain reports progress as more foreigners are allowed to leave Rafah
A Spaniard has joined a growing group of foreigners who were able to depart the border area on Wednesday through the Rafah crossing, according to diplomatic sources. The move comes as authorities work to coordinate departures from the southern Gaza Strip under the supervision of Palestinian authorities at the border gate known as Refah.
Among those facilitating the exit is Raul Incertis, a 40-year-old anesthesiologist with Doctors Without Borders. He was part of a delegation of 22 NGO personnel who left Rafah to move south of the strip in hopes of securing a safer exit. Humanitarian officials in the region described the group’s departure as a key step in enabling foreign nationals to leave Gaza under tightened oversight this Wednesday.
Diplomatic channels have confirmed that Spain continues to press for more Spaniards to depart through Rafah, with authorities coordinating foreign departures under the administration of the Gaza Ministry of Internal Affairs. The aim is to allow foreign nationals to exit Gaza with careful monitoring as the security situation evolves. The process is being conducted under the watch of local authorities and international organizations working to facilitate safe passage for civilians.
The Gaza Transition and Borders General Agency, which falls under the ministry, released a list of departing individuals. The tally includes Palestinians with foreign passports as well as citizens from other countries, such as Japanese, Austrian, and Bulgarian nationals, alongside employees of international organizations like Doctors Without Borders and other aid groups. This coordination underscores the international effort to provide exit routes for those stranded in Gaza during the ongoing crisis.
Rual Incertis, who had sought shelter in a relief complex for several days, reported that aid groups in Gaza had to halt operations at times due to shortages. His account reflects the strain on humanitarian operations and the fears of reduced access to essential supplies for aid workers and residents alike. In an interview with a news agency on the 18th, the Valencian anesthesiologist described conditions as tense and warned about medical and humanitarian risks as the situation degraded, including the risk of epidemics and dehydration amid food shortages.
In his remarks, Incertis expressed a sense of disillusionment with the international community, saying he expected humanity to prevail but felt disappointed by what he described as a stark display of the blockade’s impact. He reflected on the broader consequences of the conflict, noting the heavy toll on civilians and the difficulties faced by medical teams trying to deliver care under blockade conditions. The sense of urgency was clear as he described the ongoing challenges and his hope for a more cooperative international response.
Meanwhile, the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border was slated to reopen on Thursday to complete exit procedures for people holding foreign passports from Gaza. Official sources reported that the flow included both foreign passport holders and a significant number of injured Palestinians seeking evacuation to Egypt. The departure efforts continued in coordination with humanitarian agencies working to move vulnerable populations to safety while access to medical care remained a central concern for aid responders on the ground.
As the situation evolved, the reporting indicated that at least 76 injured individuals and 335 Palestinians with foreign passports and other nationalities began preparing to leave Gaza via Rafah on the day in question. The ongoing departures, including ambulances carrying injured people, highlighted the dual priorities of safety and access to medical care for those caught in the conflict. This marked the first time the Rafah crossing had been opened specifically to allow wounded and foreign nationals to pass since the conflict intensified earlier in the year with the Gaza Strip under control of Hamas and the escalation of hostilities with Israel.
Overall, the border operation reflected a broader international effort to provide safe exits while maintaining security oversight. It underlined the precarious balance between humanitarian needs and political control in a region defined by long-standing tensions and periodic openings that enable civilians and aid workers to seek safer passage when possible. The events of this week showcased the ongoing urgency to protect civilians and to support relief efforts amid a protracted and evolving emergency. (Source: EFE)