Gaza city: Over 18,500 patients in Gaza require specialized medical care that is unavailable within the territory, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus addressed the issue on X, emphasizing the critical need for medical support in the region.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the WHO, in collaboration with its partners, recently facilitated the medical evacuation of five patients and seven companions to Egypt via the Rafah Crossing. This marked the first medical evacuation through this route since mid-March 2025. The WHO Director General indicated that the health system in Gaza urgently needs rehabilitation and rebuilding to decrease dependency on medical evacuations, making it a top priority.
The WHO official underscored the necessity for a rapid expansion of health services within Gaza. This includes increasing medical supplies, repairing damaged facilities, and expanding essential services to establish a resilient and sustainable health system. Additionally, he stressed the importance of reopening the medical referral route to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to expedite access to life-saving care.
