Hamas has issued several reports in recent weeks blaming Israel for the plight of patients stranded in Gaza without adequate medical care. While Gaza has several hospitals, hundreds of residents must seek care elsewhere, Hamas claims, but are prevented from doing so by Israel's refusal to open crossings to the western Negev.
However, according to the Palestinian Authority-based Ma'an news agency, Hamas itself refused to open crossings when given a chance. Egypt, which has allowed many such patients to enter its territory in the past, offered to open the Rafiah crossing in March to students and those seeking medical treatment, but Hamas refused, leaving the crossing closed in protest of Egypt's failure to coordinate the operation of the crossing with Hamas.
In addition, crossings to Israel are opened in humanitarian cases, and patients who require treatment in Israel have been allowed through despite terrorist attacks. However, Hamas has recently prevented many Gaza residents from seeking care in Israel, apparently due to concern that Israel gains positive publicity through treating Gaza Arabs.
Hundreds of Gaza residents gathered at the Egyptian border this week, calling on Egypt to open the crossing. Several of those waiting for the Rafiah crossing to open explained that they could not seek care in Israel because they are wanted for terrorist activity, and will be arrested if they attempt to leave Gaza using Israeli crossings.