WHO says 18,500, including 4,000 children, need Gaza evacuation

The head of the World Health Organization stated Monday that more than 18,500 individuals, among them 4,000 children, are in urgent need of medical evacuation from the Gaza Strip. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a public appeal for additional countries to offer treatment to these patients facing severe health crises.

Recent Evacuations and Ongoing Need

In a post on the social media platform X, Tedros detailed that WHO recently facilitated the transfer of 18 patients and 36 companions from Gaza to Jordan for care encompassing trauma, cancer, and other serious conditions. He expressed gratitude to Jordan for its role, noting that since October 2023, over 10,700 patients have been evacuated for specialized care in more than 30 countries. "However, over 18,500 people still urgently need medical evacuation," he emphasized.

Calls for Expanded Access and Routes

The WHO chief issued a dual call to the international community. He urged more nations to "open their doors to patients from Gaza" and appealed for the restoration of medical evacuation routes to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. These pathways are critical for patients who cannot be treated in Gaza's decimated healthcare system, which collapsed under the weight of the recent conflict.

The Scale of the Crisis

The staggering need for medical evacuations is a direct consequence of the devastating offensive on Gaza that began in October 2023. The assault, which left widespread destruction, resulted in massive casualties before a ceasefire took effect on October 10. Despite the truce, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that Israeli attacks have continued, resulting in hundreds of additional Palestinian deaths and injuries, further straining the enclave's limited medical capacity.