The World Health Organization (WHO) has suspended medical evacuations from the Gaza Strip to Egypt via the Rafah border crossing until further notice. This decision follows a security incident on Monday that resulted in the death of a contractor working with the organization.
اضافة اعلان
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated in a post on "X":
"WHO is shocked by the confirmation of the killing of a service contractor in Gaza today (Monday) during a security incident."
He noted that two WHO staff members were present during the incident but were not harmed. He added, "Following the incident, the organization has suspended medical evacuations of patients from Gaza to Egypt via the Rafah crossing. These will remain suspended until further notice."
Tedros continued, expressing that the organization is "extremely grateful to the colleagues who work night and day—despite the risks—to ensure that the people of Gaza can access the healthcare they need."
The Director-General called for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, concluding his statement by saying, "Peace is the best medicine."
Context of the Crisis
Residents of Gaza face severe difficulties in accessing adequate healthcare, including those injured by the Israeli war of aggression, as well as patients with chronic diseases and cancer.
The Rafah crossing is the only border point that allows exit from the Gaza Strip without passing through occupied territories. Israeli occupation forces seized control of the Palestinian side of the crossing during their offensive on the Strip in May 2024, and the crossing has remained almost continuously closed since then.
Source: Al Jazeera
