WHO Plans Evacuations of 1,000 from Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to evacuate up to 1,000 women and children from Gaza to Europe for urgent medical care, with Israel committing to facilitate these evacuations in the coming months. This initiative follows alarming reports from UN officials highlighting severe humanitarian crises in Gaza, including targeted attacks on health facilities and medical personnel accused of being crimes against humanity. WHO has already facilitated 600 medical evacuations since the conflict intensified in October 2023, with an estimated 10,000 individuals in need of urgent medical attention. Hans Kluge, head of WHO Europe, emphasized the importance of maintaining open dialogue to support these humanitarian efforts. The ongoing Israeli military operations have led to significant civilian displacement and casualties in Gaza, with over 42,600 reported deaths since the conflict's escalation. Kluge called for international condemnation of attacks on healthcare in war zones, advocating for the protection of healthcare workers and facilities under international humanitarian law.