Gaza: Over 80 patients airlifted to Abu Dhabi for critical care — WHO
In an unprecedented medical operation, more than 85 critically ill and wounded Palestinians, including 35 children, were evacuated from Gaza to Abu Dhabi for specialized treatment, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Tuesday. This marks the largest medical evacuation since the escalation of conflict in October 2023.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, confirmed the news via a post on X, highlighting the complexity and scale of the joint evacuation effort. “This extremely complex joint evacuation was supported by the (United Arab Emirates), WHO, and partners. It is the largest medical evacuation since October 2023,” stated Dr. Tedros.
The evacuated patients are suffering from a range of severe medical conditions, including cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiac diseases. Accompanying them were 63 family members and caregivers, ensuring that the patients receive the necessary support during their treatment.
Gaza’s healthcare system has been severely debilitated following a near 10-month military operation triggered by Hamas’ cross-border attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 253 hostages. The conflict has led to significant damage to Gaza’s medical infrastructure, with Israeli forces conducting raids and bombings on hospitals, citing alleged military uses of these facilities by Hamas. Many hospitals have since been forced to shut down.
Medical evacuations from Gaza have been exceedingly rare since May, when the Rafah crossing, the primary route for medical transfers, was closed amid intensified Israeli military operations in southern Gaza. The WHO previously reported that around 10,000 patients are awaiting evacuation, underscoring the dire need for international intervention and medical aid.
This large-scale evacuation operation not only highlights the critical medical needs in Gaza but also demonstrates the significant collaborative efforts required to provide life-saving care to those affected by the ongoing conflict.
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