In the midst of the relentless Israeli bombardment on Gaza, the hospital system in the enclave is on the brink of collapse. With over 21,000 wounded individuals, Gaza's doctors are overwhelmed, operating on patients in cramped corridors and on floors, often without crucial supplies. While hundreds of beds in Egyptian hospitals stand ready to receive injured Palestinians, the continued closure of the Rafah border crossing has trapped the wounded in Gaza, with no means of escape.

The Egyptian government, reluctant to accept a large influx of Palestinian refugees due to political and security concerns, has nevertheless ordered hospitals in northern Sinai and other areas to prepare for the intake of patients from Gaza, similar to previous conflicts. However, the closure of the crossing, except for limited aid convoys, has prevented any movement of people out of Gaza.

Egypt has consistently emphasized its willingness to take in the injured, as Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt's State Information Service, asserted at a recent news conference. He cited the World Health Organization's approval of Egyptian hospitals and medical facilities, placing the blame for the crossing's closure on the occupying forces, referring to Israel.

Conflicting explanations from Israel, Egypt, Hamas, and the United States regarding the lack of crossings from Gaza to Egypt have added to the confusion. Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Adviser, stated that Hamas was imposing conditions on people leaving Gaza, without specifying what those conditions were. Egypt, on the other hand, has accused Israel of failing to provide guarantees that the crossing and its vicinity will not be targeted if people attempt to leave.

Late on Tuesday, the Hamas border authority announced that Egypt had agreed to admit 81 injured people from Gaza on Wednesday, an assertion echoed by Egyptian state media. However, there was no immediate confirmation from Israel or the United States. Previous deals involving the departure of foreign nationals have fallen through at the last moment.

Preparations are underway in Arish, a city near the Gaza border, where the main hospital is readying itself to receive patients. Additionally, a makeshift hospital is being established in the Bedouin city of Sheikh Zuweid in northern Sinai, initially accommodating 300 patients with the potential for expansion, according to government-affiliated news outlet Sada El-Balad News.

The North Sinai regional government has announced that 150 ambulances are on standby to transport Palestinian patients to healthcare facilities in Sinai, or, if necessary, to better-equipped hospitals elsewhere in Egypt. Turkish ambassador to Cairo also pledged support by setting up a field hospital in the region.

Over 2,000 Egyptian healthcare workers have registered to treat injured Gazans, with many more expressing interest in volunteering, including surgeons, pharmacists, gynecology and obstetrics specialists, said Khaled Amin, assistant secretary general of the Egyptian doctors syndicate. Amin emphasized the eagerness of many to assist, stating that people are willing to brave the dangers and cross the border, placing their safety in the hands of any entity, even Israel.

While negotiations primarily focus on the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas militants, the urgent need for medical evacuations has become increasingly apparent. The number of casualties continues to rise, with over 8,500 deaths, including 3,324 children, and 21,543 injuries since the start of the conflict, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The dire situation in Gaza's hospitals cannot be ignored, with 12 hospitals and 32 primary care centers out of service due to Israeli airstrikes or a lack of electricity. Al-Shifa, Gaza's largest hospital, reported having less than 24 hours of fuel left to power its generators.

Doctors and aid workers in Gaza are reaching their breaking points, facing exhaustion and overwhelming chaos. Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF's representative in Egypt, commended the Ministry of Health's preparedness but acknowledged the need for support to implement their plans for medical evacuations.

As the issues surrounding the Rafah border crossing persist, the urgency to facilitate the evacuation of the injured grows. However, the complexity of negotiations involving multiple parties and their individual interests continues to hinder progress. For now, the ability to evacuate the wounded remains contingent upon a cease-fire and the opening of safe corridors.

The call from those on the front lines of medical care in Gaza and Egypt is clear: to end the war. Alongside the need for medical evacuations, the primary focus is on stopping the immense suffering that both Gaza's hospitals and its population endure.