Gaza Herald – The World Health Organization said more than 18,500 patients in Gaza required specialized medical care that was not available inside the besieged territory, underscoring the collapse of the health system after more than two years of sustained Israeli attacks.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the organization and its partners supported the medical evacuation of five patients and seven companions to Egypt via the Rafah crossing on Monday. He noted the operation marked the first medical evacuation through this route since March 2025.
Ghebreyesus stressed that Gaza’s health system had been severely degraded by prolonged hostilities, making emergency evacuations a lifeline rather than an exception. He warned that continued reliance on evacuations reflected serious structural damage to hospitals, equipment, and specialized services across the enclave.
He called for urgent rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gaza’s health sector, including restoring damaged facilities, replenishing medical supplies, and expanding essential services to build a resilient and sustainable healthcare system capable of meeting civilian needs.
Separately, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Gaza’s Al-Shifa Medical Complex, said around 450 critically ill patients remained on waiting lists for treatment abroad, with deaths occurring almost daily due to delays. He urged the immediate reopening of medical referral pathways to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to prevent further loss of life.
