Gaza Herald- The Palestinian Ministry of Health has rejected circulating “false claims and fabrications” regarding its operations and the work of the medical referral committee, stating that these allegations lack any professional basis and mislead public opinion.
The ministry held Israeli authorities responsible for preventing more than 21,000 patients from traveling abroad for medical treatment.
In an official statement issued Saturday, the ministry said these accusations come at a time when Israeli authorities continue to keep crossings closed to patients, leaving thousands unable to access treatment outside Gaza. It added that this situation coincides with a “crime involving the targeting of World Health Organization personnel.”
The ministry stressed that attempts to absolve Israel of responsibility for blocking patient travel and worsening health conditions represent what it called an unacceptable alignment with the Israeli narrative, aimed at misleading the public and avoiding international accountability.
Regarding patient data, the ministry stated that only about 420 patients have been evacuated for treatment outside Gaza over the past six months, averaging fewer than 70 cases per month. Meanwhile, more than 21,500 patients remain in urgent need of treatment abroad.
It added that critically ill patients and those in intensive care face significant obstacles in traveling due to the absence of an effective mechanism for urgent medical evacuation, leaving them on extended waiting lists.
The ministry also warned of what it described as “misleading media campaigns” designed to undermine public trust in health institutions. It emphasized that medical staff continue to operate under extremely difficult humanitarian conditions to provide care to patients.
Finally, the ministry called on media outlets and the public to verify information and avoid spreading unsubstantiated claims. It affirmed its readiness to receive complaints and address them transparently, and invited professional bodies to review the work of the medical referral committee, which includes 12 specialists from various fields operating under standards of integrity and accountability.
