ISRAEL has blocked more than 16,500 Palestinians in Gaza from receiving health treatment, authorities warned.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israeli authorities are preventing Palestinians from leaving the besieged, war-torn enclave to receive desperately needed medical care.

This comes despite a supposed ceasefire agreement that has been in place since last October and which provides for the medical evacuation of Palestinians.

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt was partially reopened by Israel at the beginning of February after nearly two years of closure.

But since then Israeli authorities have regulated how many Palestinians may cross or have closed the crossing completely.

Dr Maher Shamia, the acting undersecretary of the Gaza Health Ministry, said the Israelis were only allowing Palestinians to use the crossing to leave the territory three days a week, with just one day for medical evacuations at the Karem Abu Salem crossing.

He said the Israelis bear “full responsibility for this crisis due to its continued closure of the Rafah border crossing.”

Dr Shamia called on human rights organisations to put more pressure on Israel to allow Palestinians to freely exit and re-enter Gaza.

He added that the majority of patients could be treated locally if and when the territory’s healthcare infrastructure is rebuilt, which Israel has also been accused of hindering.

“A large portion of patients can be treated inside the Gaza Strip if the health sector, which has been systematically destroyed, is rehabilitated and prepared,” he said.

On Tuesday, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called on Israel to immediately reopen all crossings into Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to enter without restriction.

“I’m also deeply concerned by Israel’s decision to close crossings into Gaza and reiterate my call for the immediate reopening of ⁠all crossings to ensure the rapid, safe and unhindered passage of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza,” Mr Guterres said.

There was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities.