Increasing Humanitarian Crisis: Palestinians Stranded in Egypt Struggle to Survive
Thousands of Palestinians stuck in Egypt are facing desperate challenges as they try to cope with the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict in Gaza. Many of them had crossed into Egypt for medical treatment or other purposes before the recent outbreak of violence between Hamas and Israel. Now, they find themselves trapped, unable to return home or receive adequate assistance.
One such individual is Aylol, who had traveled to Egypt with his brother for a routine medical check-up. However, they were forced to stay in Egypt when news of the Israeli retaliation spread. As they sought refuge near the Rafah crossing, they were even caught in Israeli airstrikes. Fortunately, they were unharmed, but they received no help or guidance from the Egyptian authorities.
The closure of the crossing left many Palestinians stranded on the streets or relying on the generosity of Egyptian families for accommodation. The financial burden became overwhelming for those whose money was insufficient to cover the unexpected expenses of their extended stay. Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza deteriorated rapidly, with over 11,200 Palestinians killed and 45% of houses destroyed, according to a UN report.
Under mounting international pressure, Israel partially opened the Rafah crossing to allow the evacuation of around 1,000 foreign nationals and critically injured individuals to Egyptian hospitals. However, the evacuation of wounded Palestinians became nearly impossible due to Israeli airstrikes targeting ambulances and medical aid supplies.
The dire circumstances have taken a toll on the mental well-being of Palestinians stuck in Egypt. A group of five colleagues from the north of Gaza, who were attending a conference in Cairo, are now struggling to cope with the escalating panic. Unable to return home or receive assistance from Egyptian authorities, they are relying on the support of a Sudanese acquaintance who provided them with temporary accommodation after they were expelled from their previous place due to lack of funds.
The psychological impact is so severe that one of the group members expressed a preference for dying with her family rather than remaining in Egypt witnessing their distress from afar. Their story is emblematic of the shared anguish felt by many Gazans, including those living in Europe like Mohammed Albayed, the owner of a restaurant in Barcelona. Over the course of the conflict, he has lost 17 family members in Gaza but feels entirely helpless as he is unable to financially support them due to the lack of transfer options between Europe and Gaza.
Palestinians stranded in Israel face additional hardships, particularly those who were working there and became stuck when the violence erupted. Many of them have been subjected to arbitrary detentions and humiliation. Mohammed Albayed, himself a European citizen, expresses frustration at Europe’s continued support for Israel despite the atrocities and believes that European citizens are unwittingly funding the bombs used against his homeland.
As the humanitarian crisis worsens, some European countries, such as Belgium and France, are starting to take a more critical stance towards Israeli aggression in Gaza. However, Mohammed no longer believes in the efficacy of the European Union’s actions and remains steadfast in his identification with his Palestinian heritage.
The situation for Palestinians trapped in Egypt and elsewhere is dire, and a resolution seems distant. The international community must continue to exert pressure on all parties involved to find a lasting solution and alleviate the immense suffering endured by Palestinians in Gaza and beyond. Only through concerted and compassionate efforts can we hope to bring an end to this humanitarian crisis and ensure a better future for the Palestinian people.
