Gaza Medical Evacuations Face Crisis: Thousands Wait for Aid

Hani Isleem of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has issued a stark appeal for international assistance, highlighting the immense need for medical evacuations from Gaza. He revealed that tens of thousands of patients require urgent treatment outside the Palestinian territory, with an estimated over 900 having already succumbed while awaiting evacuation since October 2023. Isleem stressed that the current number of evacuations is a mere fraction of the overwhelming need.

The rate of medical evacuations has significantly decreased, plummeting from an average of 1,500 patients per month to approximately 70 since the closure of the Rafah crossing in May 2024. Despite a sharp decline in Israeli evacuation refusals, the process remains slow and heavily politicized. Isleem criticized countries for their "selection shopping list" approach, noting that 99.9% of requests are for children, while adults who constitute three-quarters of those needing evacuation are largely ignored.

MSF is urging countries to abandon selective criteria, such as refusing patients with accompanying family members, and to prioritize saving lives based on medical necessity. The charity emphasizes that the urgent need for treatment for both adults and children cannot wait for protracted diplomatic discussions or budget allocations. Isleem underscored the dire situation, stating that the true number of patients needing evacuation is likely much higher than official estimates.