Hopes of Palestinians needing treatment abroad hinges on opening of Rafah crossing

Описание: (29 Jan 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip - 27 January 2026
1. Various of 15-year-old Rimas Abu Lehia, who has a leg injury, standing and walking with the help of crutches and her parents
2. Various of Rimas' family members helping her sit in a wheelchair
3. Rimas' father pushing her in the wheelchair
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sarhan Abu Lehia, Rimas’ father:
”Rimas went to the aid (point) in the Morag area. She was shot and took a bullet to the joint. She completely lost the joint, it was shattered. They prepared a report for her to receive treatment abroad, and we've been waiting for roughly four or five months. The girl's condition is worsening. Although they've been performing surgeries on her day after day, day after day, but she completely lost her (ability to use her) legs entirely."
5. Rimas sitting on the floor next to her medical reports
6. Various of Rimas showing her injured leg
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sarhan Abu Lehia, Rimas’ father:
"To this day, we're still waiting for the crossing to open. Our entire lives depend on the crossing—food, aid, life itself, clothes, blankets. Everything is tied to the crossing."
8. Various of Rimas sitting with her family
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rimas Abu Lehia, who has a leg injury:
"I wish I could stand on my own, I wish I could run, I wish I could play. I wish I could study, I wish I could complete my education. I wish I could walk like the other girls in the street, stand by myself. That's what I wish for, to stand without tools like crutches. I wish I didn’t have to sit in this chair. (cries)"
10. Close of Rimas crying
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rimas Abu Lehia, who has a leg injury:
"My greatest wish in life is to get up and walk on my own two feet without anyone's help. To stand on my own, I wish I could walk on my own. For five months, I've been sitting. I need someone to help me stand, get dressed, and take me to the bathroom. I wish I could do all of that myself."
12. Various of Rimas sitting next to her mother and crying
13. Various of medical reports and eye drops for 14-year-old Mahmoud Abu Ishaq, who needs eye surgery, on the floor
14. Mahmoud's father placing the medical reports on the floor
15. Various of Mahmoud's father Fawaz Abu Ishaq showing his son's eyes, which need surgery
16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fawaz Abu Ishaq, Mahmoud’s father:
"The boy needs surgery outside the Gaza Strip because there are no resources (in Gaza), and the crossing is closed. We received a referral (for treatment abroad) and Form No. 1, dated February 24, 2025. And to this moment, we are still waiting for a host country to accept my son for treatment. Unfortunately, the crossing hasn't opened yet."
17. Mahmoud sitting next to his father
18. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fawaz Abu Ishaq, Mahmoud’s father:
"It has been almost a year now since the referral. We're still waiting for the crossing to open. When will it open? When my son dies? His condition worsens every day, and there is no treatment for him. The eye drops aren't even available here. They are almost... they are empty (holds them up). And no one can provide them. It’s not even available in the Gaza Strip."
19. Various of Mohammad Barham, whose son Ahmed has cancer, holding up medical reports
20. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammad Barham, Ahmed’s father:
21. Close of Ahmed
22. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammad Barham, Ahmed’s father:
"The crossing represents life for my son and my entire family. We are dying, we are dying. There are none of the basic necessities for life here—no treatment, no care, no food, nothing."
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