Gaza: Humanitarian crisis escalates, 9,000 patients await evacuation from decimated hospitals

In a dire plea for international attention, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that approximately 9,000 patients in the Gaza Strip are in desperate need of evacuation for critical medical treatment. With only 10 hospitals barely operational across Gaza, the region faces an unprecedented healthcare catastrophe.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus underscored the severity of the situation, emphasizing that thousands of patients are being deprived of essential healthcare services. Prior to the conflict, Gaza boasted 36 hospitals, but relentless bombings and violent ground combat have left just a fraction functional.

The urgency for evacuation stems from the pressing need for lifesaving treatments, including cancer care, injuries sustained from bombardments, kidney dialysis, and management of other chronic conditions.

This alarming figure marks an increase from the WHO’s previous assessment in March, which estimated 8,000 patients requiring urgent evacuation.

The escalation of violence in Gaza follows Israel’s pledge to eradicate Hamas after the group’s unprecedented attack on October 7. With healthcare facilities in the line of fire and under the strain of providing refuge to displaced civilians, Gaza faces an almost complete blockade, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Despite appeals for aid delivery, accusations against Israel for obstructing humanitarian efforts persist. Israel’s defense of its policies, framed within its mission to dismantle Hamas, clashes with international calls for expedited evacuations to save lives.

The conflict’s toll extends beyond Gaza’s borders, with casualties mounting on both sides. Hamas’s initial attack on Israel resulted in significant civilian casualties, while Israel’s retaliatory campaign has claimed thousands of lives, predominantly women and children, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

In response to the escalating crisis, Tedros urged Israel to accelerate approvals for patient evacuations, stressing the critical importance of timely medical intervention. Before the conflict, daily transfers of patients to neighboring regions were commonplace, highlighting the stark contrast in healthcare accessibility now faced by Gaza’s population.

As the world watches the unfolding humanitarian tragedy, the urgency to address Gaza’s medical emergency cannot be overstated. The fate of thousands hangs in the balance, underscoring the pressing need for swift international action to avert further loss of life.