WHO Conducts Medical Evacuation Of 41 Critical Patients From Gaza Strip

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) led the medical evacuation of 41 critical patients and 145 companions from Gaza, said Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday.

In his post on social media X Tedros said about 15,000 patients were awaiting evacuation from the Gaza Strip.

"We continue to call on countries to show their solidarity and so that all routes are opened to speed up medical evacuations," the WHO chief said.

Many suffer from injuries from the Israeli-Hamas conflict that has lasted for two years. Others have chronic conditions such as cancer and heart disease that the health system in the pocket region is destroyed.

During the war, more than 7,000 patients have been evacuated from Gaza, with Egypt taking over more than half. The transfer rate slowed to just a few when the Rafah border closed in May 2024 and Israel took control.

Since the previous ceasefire ended in March, less than four patients have been discharged daily. Earlier, the UN health agency said about 15,600 Gaza patients were awaiting evacuation, including 3,800 children.

The Rafah crossing, which was previously used by patients to get out through Egypt, is still closed for evacuation.

Hundreds of people have died while waiting, according to Palestinian medical groups and health authorities.

The WHO, which took over management of the process last year, said 740 people, including 137 children on the list, had died since July 2024.

On the other hand, COGAT, Israel's military agency overseeing the flow of aid to Gaza, previously said that evacuation approval would comply with security checks.