The United Nations has revealed that Israel has approved only a quarter of the over 21,000 patient evacuation requests submitted from Gaza since October 2023.
According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its partners facilitated the evacuation of eight children and six companions from Gaza to Jordan earlier this week. These patients are expected to continue to the United States for specialised medical treatment.
Dujarric reiterated the urgent need for effective evacuation corridors.
“Once again, we call for the establishment of evacuation corridors and for all possible routes to be used for the safe and timely passage of all patients who need specialised care,” he said during a press conference.
The revelation comes as Israel’s relentless military campaign in Gaza, launched after a cross-border attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023 continues. The offensive has reportedly claimed over 43,700 lives and left the densely populated enclave on the brink of collapse.
The Israeli government is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, following widespread international condemnation of its actions in Gaza.
