Stranded Gaza patients appeal for urgent evacuation amid health system collapse

Stranded patients in Gaza have issued an urgent global appeal for medical evacuation, warning that they face death from preventable diseases as the enclave's healthcare system collapses.

Over 20,000 approved patients are now trapped behind strict border closures.

Critically ill and wounded Palestinians, particularly those suffering from advanced cancers, kidney failure, and severe trauma, are dying from preventable diseases while waiting for bureaucratic travel clearance.

The patients and their family members gathered in the ruins of Gaza City's Al-Shifa Medical Complex, launching a desperate global appeal for immediate medical evacuations as strict border blockades have trapped over 20,000 approved patients inside the enclave.

"I can't treat my son… I can't treat my son. My son needs a cornea transplant, but I have to get him a corneal transplant. My son has developed cataracts, and the condition is getting worse -- it's going to ruin his eyesight," said the father of a patient.

"We patients are dying in the Gaza Strip. There is no treatment for us -- none at all. There are no hospitals here that can treat us -- no radiation therapy, no chemotherapy -- none of these are available in Gaza," said a patient.

They held placards reading "save the remaining patients" and "an appeal to the compassionate people of the world", as they pleaded for the World Health Organization and global leaders to intervene.

"We, like everyone else, want to go to get treatment. All we want is to go and get treated. The number of patients has increased. Let them go to get treated. Save us. Treat the wounded in Gaza. Save the wounded in Gaza, " said another patient.

While small numbers of long-term patients recently managed to return to Gaza after receiving treatment abroad, the outbound corridor remains severely restricted by heavy travel restrictions at the crucial Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.

Local health authorities warn that the blockaded territory's medical infrastructure has entirely collapsed under continuous military operations and acute supply shortages, leaving the remaining partially functional hospitals completely unable to provide complex care.

Stranded Gaza patients appeal for urgent evacuation amid health system collapse

Spain announced on Friday that it would temporarily restore internal border checks for travelers arriving from Italy in response to Rome's refusal to lift border controls on travelers arriving from Spain amid the recent migration crisis in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta.

The temporary checks at ports and airports will take effect at the start of Saturday and remain in force until Sept 7 unless circumstances change, according to a statement released by the Spanish government. The measures will include random identity and document checks.

The Spanish government said Italy had unilaterally reintroduced border checks on travelers arriving from Spain on Aug 1 without prior notification, describing the measures as "unjustified, discriminatory and contrary to the interests of the European Union (EU)."

Spain has called on Italy to withdraw the measures immediately.

Earlier Friday, the Italian government said it would maintain temporary checks on third-country nationals arriving from Spain until at least Aug. 15, citing national security and border-management concerns.

Rome said it "does not accept ultimatums or external pressure" on matters concerning national security and border management.

It also stressed that the controls do not apply to Spanish or other EU citizens traveling by air or sea, adding that Italian border authorities would seek to minimize disruption to legitimate cross-border travel.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the border control measures on July 31 following a massive influx of migrants into Ceuta. About 80,000 people entered the Spanish enclave at the end of July, nearly 75,000 of whom subsequently returned voluntarily.

Between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the enclave, overwhelming reception facilities and creating a severe humanitarian emergency, Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas said Thursday.

The influx has fueled tensions among EU member states over border controls and the possible onward movement of migrants within the Schengen area.

Spain to impose temporary border checks on arrivals from Italy