Health and Humanitarian Operations
Medical Evacuation Led by WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has facilitated the evacuation of 41 critically ill patients and 145 companions from Gaza. This operation marks the first medical evacuation since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Tue, Oct 10, 2023.
Health System Challenges
Patients are affected by injuries sustained during a prolonged conflict that resulted in over 68,000 fatalities, predominantly among civilians. Additionally, individuals with chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease face challenges due to the compromised healthcare infrastructure in the region. Approximately 15,000 patients are awaiting authorization for medical treatment outside Gaza. The WHO continues to urge the international community to facilitate medical evacuations by ensuring open routes.
Crossing and Approval Issues
The Rafah crossing, previously used for medical transfers via Egypt, remains inaccessible. Israel has indicated that it will remain closed until compliance with the terms of the current ceasefire and hostage release agreement is achieved. This includes the return of the bodies of 13 hostages held in Gaza since Oct 7, 2023. The ongoing closure has resulted in numerous fatalities, with medical organizations reporting that 740 individuals, including 137 children, have died since Jul 2024 while waiting for medical evacuation.
Security and Approval Processes
The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli military body responsible for managing aid entry into Gaza, has stated that patient transfer approvals are contingent upon security evaluations.
