'Two weeks after her death I got a call': Gaza patients face agonising delays for evacuation

What Happened

Patients in Gaza are facing significant delays in medical evacuations, with the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reporting that 300 individuals have died while awaiting transfer since October 2023. According to the World Health Organization, 1,977 people have successfully left Gaza for treatment during this period, while approximately 15,000 remain on waiting lists. The process requires approval from Gaza's medical referral board, security clearance from Israel and transit countries, and acceptance by a host nation. Maher Shamia, acting undersecretary of the Gaza Health Ministry, attributed the delays to lengthy security screenings and restricted departure schedules, noting that evacuations via the Rafah crossing occur three days a week and via the Kerem Shalom crossing only one day a week.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The collapse of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, combined with the severe restrictions on medical evacuations, has created a humanitarian crisis for thousands of patients suffering from cancer and war-related injuries. The inability to access specialized care outside the Strip, particularly following the near-total closure of routes to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, highlights the ongoing impact of border control policies on civilian health outcomes.

Watch For

Monitor for potential adjustments to the frequency of medical evacuations through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, as well as any changes in the security screening protocols managed by Israeli authorities and host nations.