The sick and injured in Gaza await a lifeline in Rafah.

Two-year-old Umama was born with a serious heart condition. Her doctors told her she needed emergency surgery, but that it could only be done outside Gaza, where more than two years of war have devastated the health care system. Medical evacuations may soon expand to Umama and other areas as borders into Egypt reopen. The Rafah crossing, once a major transit point, has been largely closed since Israeli forces took over in May 2024. Israel agreed to reopen the crossing under a cease-fire agreement with Hamas in October, but postponed it until the remains of the last hostages held in Gaza were repatriated. Even people in urgent situations, including some wounded during the war, have not been able to leave for months. Mohammed al-Ser suffered serious head injuries last June that left him partially paralyzed. Shortly after the interview, he underwent skull surgery, but doctors said he would need treatment outside Gaza to fully recover. Since the closure of Rafah, Israel has allowed a limited number of medical evacuations through other routes, but the number of people needing treatment abroad is well below 20,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Local health officials said hundreds of people have died waiting. 12-year-old Sami Saad suffers from acute liver failure. His doctor said proper testing and diagnosis for him was not possible in Gaza. Israeli authorities said reopening Rafah would limit the movement of people. It is still unclear which refugees will be prioritized. For now, all anyone can do is hope.