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The Palestinian Border and Crossing Authority in Gaza said Monday that Israel closed the Rafah crossing with Egypt, halting the evacuation of patients and wounded people seeking medical treatment abroad, reported Xinhua. The authority did not give a reason for the closure. Israel had no immediate comment on the shutdown or how long it might last. Hamas condemned the move. In a video message, spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the closure was part of Israel's "tightening of the siege on the Gaza Strip." He said restricting travel, limiting aid, and continuing strikes were part of "a systematic Israeli policy." He urged mediators and guarantors of the ceasefire to intervene and press for lifting the blockade. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said about 700 patients have left Gaza for treatment abroad since the crossing partially reopened on Feb. 2. More than 18,000 patients and wounded people are still awaiting evacuation, it added. Separately, Gaza's Civil Defense said two Palestinians were killed and at least 10 wounded in Israeli airstrikes targeting police checkpoints, tents for displaced people, and gatherings across the territory. Earlier, Gaza-based health authorities said hospitals received two bodies and treated 22 wounded in the past 24 hours. They said the death toll since a ceasefire on Oct. 10 has reached 777, with 2,193 wounded.
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