WHO Reports Major Evacuation of Patients from Gaza to UAE

Evacuation Operation Overview

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a significant and urgent evacuation effort that successfully transported 85 critically ill and severely injured patients from the Gaza Strip to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. This complex operation was aimed at providing these patients with specialized medical treatment that is not readily available in Gaza. The group of evacuees included 35 children and 50 adults, along with 63 accompanying family members and caregivers.

Detailed Transfer and Destination

The evacuation process involved multiple stages. Initially, the patients were transferred from Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing into Israel. From there, they were transported to Ramon Airport, situated near Eilat in southern Israel. The final leg of their journey saw them flown to Abu Dhabi, where they will receive the critical and specialized medical care required for their conditions. This operation underscores the extensive coordination and effort required to ensure these individuals receive the necessary treatment.

Medical Conditions of Evacuated Patients

The WHO provided details about the medical conditions of the evacuated patients, revealing a range of serious health issues:

• Cancer: 53 patients, including four children, were diagnosed with various types of cancer.
• Trauma Injuries: 20 patients had sustained severe trauma injuries.
• Blood Diseases: 3 patients were suffering from blood disorders, including thalassemia.
• Congenital Conditions: 3 patients had congenital health conditions.
• Fanconi Anemia: 2 patients were diagnosed with Fanconi anemia.
• Neurological Condition: 1 patient had a neurological disorder.
• Cardiac Disease: 1 patient was suffering from a cardiac condition.
• Liver Disease: 1 patient had liver disease.
• Renal Failure: 1 patient was experiencing renal failure.

Context of the Conflict

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis. The initial Hamas attack on southern Israel, which triggered the broader Gaza conflict, resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. In response, Israel’s retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has caused at least 39,400 fatalities, as reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory. This figure includes both civilians and militants, though exact numbers are not specified.

Efforts and Challenges in Medical Evacuations

Since the outbreak of the conflict in October, around 5,000 individuals have been evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment outside the territory. More than 80 percent of these patients have received care in neighboring countries such as Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE. Despite these efforts, over 10,000 additional individuals in Gaza still require urgent medical evacuation, according to the WHO. The need for ongoing medical support and evacuation remains critical as the crisis continues.

WHO’s Appeal for Continued Support

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, expressed gratitude to the UAE for its significant role in facilitating the evacuation of these patients. “We are thankful to the UAE for supporting the evacuation of these patients to receive the urgent care they need,” Dr. Ghebreyesus said. He also emphasized the importance of establishing evacuation corridors through all possible routes, including the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings to Egypt and Jordan. This would help facilitate the transfer of patients to other countries for further treatment. Additionally, he called for the restoration of evacuation routes to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, noting that thousands of sick individuals are suffering unnecessarily. Above all, he urged for a ceasefire to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis and to alleviate the suffering of those