The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 1,000 patients have died while waiting for urgent medical evacuation from Gaza since July 2024. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 10,600 patients, including 5,600 children, were evacuated during the conflict. He warned that many more remain trapped in Gaza without access to critical healthcare.
Tedros cited Gaza’s health ministry, noting 1,092 patients died while awaiting evacuation between July 2024 and November 28, 2025. He stressed this figure is likely underreported, urging more countries to open doors for patients and restore evacuations to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. “Lives depend on it,” he said.
WHO estimates over 16,500 patients still need treatment outside Gaza. Doctors Without Borders officials warned the actual number could be three to four times higher. Only a few countries, including Egypt and the UAE, have accepted large numbers of patients so far.
Since October 2023, @WHO and partners have evacuated over 10,600 patients from Gaza with severe health conditions, including over 5600 children, each one in need of critical advanced treatment.
Yet, many more patients remain in Gaza awaiting evacuation to receive appropriate… pic.twitter.com/h9dgKG6ztV
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 19, 2025
Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, over 30 countries have taken in patients from Gaza. Tedros emphasized that despite evacuations, the healthcare crisis remains severe, with thousands unable to access proper medical care.
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A US-sponsored ceasefire, in effect since October 10, has halted major fighting but remains fragile. Israel and Hamas continue to accuse each other of violations, complicating medical evacuations and humanitarian aid.