Israel facilitates medical evacuation of 117 Gazans to European countries

Israel has coordinated the medical evacuation of 117 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to several European countries for treatment. According to a statement from Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on Monday, the group, comprising patients and their accompanying relatives, departed via the Kerem Shalom crossing and Ramon Airport for healthcare in Romania, Italy, Norway, and Belgium.

Approval Process and Call for International Coordination

COGAT stated that the evacuations were conducted in response to specific requests from foreign governments and United Nations organizations. Each individual was granted authorization by Israeli security authorities prior to departure. The Israeli body called on governments and international organizations to "keep coordinating and to expand their support for medical evacuations," adding that Israel remains "fully committed to cooperating with the international community" on such efforts.

Context of Gaza's Healthcare Crisis

These medical evacuations occur against the backdrop of a severe humanitarian and health crisis in Gaza, where the healthcare system has been largely decimated by ongoing hostilities. The evacuations provide critical, life-saving care for a small number of individuals that cannot be treated in Gaza's overwhelmed and damaged medical facilities.

Broader Conflict Casualty Figures

The evacuations represent a minor fraction of the medical need in the territory. According to Gaza health authorities, Israeli military operations since October 2023 have resulted in more than 70,000 fatalities and over 171,000 injuries, the majority being women and children. While medical evacuations are a necessary humanitarian measure, they underscore the vast scale of suffering and the pressing need for a comprehensive ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access.