Gaza health ministry says 50 patients left through Rafah crossing to Egypt

Fifty Palestinian patients were evacuated to Egypt through the Rafah crossing on Saturday as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, according to the Gaza health ministry.

Egyptian state-linked broadcaster Al-Qahera News aired footage of the evacuees and their 53 companions, including a child with an autoimmune disease, crossing into Egypt for medical treatment.

"From the medical files, 50 were approved by Egypt. We hope for this number to increase," said Muhammad Zaqout, director of Gaza hospitals.

Zaqout added that 6,000 patients in Gaza are ready for transfer, while more than 12,000 require urgent medical care.

The Rafah crossing, a key gateway for people and aid, had been closed since May when Israeli forces seized its Palestinian side. Its reopening marks a significant step in the ceasefire agreement.

The European Union has deployed a monitoring mission at Rafah "at the request of the Palestinians and the Israelis," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Friday. The mission will support Palestinian border personnel and assist with medical evacuations.

The move comes as Israel and Hamas carried out their fourth hostage-prisoner exchange since the truce took effect on January 19. On Saturday, Hamas released three Israeli hostages in exchange for more than 180 Palestinian prisoners.

It remains unclear how many additional medical transfers will be approved in the coming days.