Gaza medical travel squeezed as Israel cuts Rafah patient quota

Gaza Health Ministry says Israel reduced daily patient crossings from 150 to 90, with 20,000 referrals pending.

Gaza medical travel squeezed as Israel cuts Rafah patient quota — The Gaza Health Ministry accused Israel on Saturday of reneging on commitments by cutting the number of patients allowed through the Rafah crossing from 150 per day (three days a week) to just 90, several weeks ago.[^1] Since the ceasefire agreement took effect in October 2025, only 840 patients have been permitted to travel, while the medical referral list has swelled to over 20,000 cases.[^1] The ministry said security approvals for many registered patients have been delayed for more than two months, and the frequent closure of the crossing disrupts travel procedures.[^1] It asserted that its coordination with the World Health Organization remains transparent.[^1] Meanwhile, a report by Physicians for Human Rights, published on June 6, exposed a systemic crisis in Israeli psychiatric care.[^2] Demand for antidepressants has risen 15% since October 7, and in 2023, of 79,000 Clalit patients who started taking antidepressants, only 16.4% had a diagnostic meeting with a specialist, and fewer than 3.5% proceeded to psychotherapy.[^2] Family doctors, such as Dr. Yael Gilerman, chair of the Association of Family Physicians, noted they are forced to prescribe medications because they cannot refer patients to psychotherapists, with waiting times for state-funded therapy reaching up to a year and a half.[^2] The parallel crises—restricted access to care in Gaza and a reliance on medication over therapy in Israel—raise questions about how each health system prioritizes treatment when resources are scarce. Weekend Nature Outings and Cat-Shelter Volunteering — About 70,000 vacationers visited nature reserves and national parks across Israel on Saturday, June 6, with the most popular sites including Gan HaShlosha, Ma'ayan Harod, Hof Dor HaBonim, Yarkon, and Tel Ashkelon.[^1] Another 4,600 people camped overnight in Nature and Parks Authority campsites.[^1] The surge in outdoor recreation reflects a broader cultural shift toward nature-based leisure. Meanwhile, on the Greek island of Syros, the animal welfare organization Syros Cats is seeking volunteers over 25 to care for more than 60 rescued cats.[^2] The