Patients die in Gaza waiting for medical evacuations Israel keeps blocking
Summary
More than 18,500 people in Gaza need to leave for medical treatment that is not available inside the area. Israel has largely blocked medical evacuations since October 2023 despite agreements to allow patient travel. As a result, many patients, including children, remain trapped without proper care, and hundreds have died waiting to leave.Key Facts
- Fifteen-year-old Rafa al-Qudra lost her sight in Gaza due to lack of proper medical treatment and supplies.
- The World Health Organization says over 18,500 patients in Gaza need evacuation for treatment unavailable locally.
- Israel’s military actions have severely damaged Gaza’s health system, which was already weak before the war.
- An October 2023 ceasefire agreement required Israel to allow medical evacuations, but Israel largely ignored this.
- The Rafah crossing is the main exit point for Palestinians from Gaza and has been mostly closed since February 2024.
- Since May 2024, about 1,200 patients have reportedly died waiting for medical evacuation.
- Before the conflict, about 50 to 100 patients left Gaza daily for treatment; now the number is very low.
- The charity Save the Children estimates it could take over a year to evacuate all who need medical care at the current rate.
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