The World Health Organisation (WHO) has successfully evacuated 41 severely ill and injured children from the Gaza Strip for urgent medical treatment — the first such operation since the ceasefire began two weeks ago.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the evacuation in a post on X, stating that the children were accompanied by 145 relatives and caregivers as they were transported out of Gaza to receive specialized care.
A WHO spokesperson said all the evacuated patients were children but declined to disclose their destination countries, citing operational and security concerns.
Tedros noted that about 15,000 patients in Gaza are still awaiting approval to leave the enclave for medical attention, stressing the urgent need for faster humanitarian access.
He called on countries to “show solidarity” by facilitating medical evacuations and opening available routes to ensure the safe transfer of critically ill civilians trapped in the conflict zone.
Medical evacuations from Gaza require permits from Israeli authorities, who control border access. Although a ceasefire has been in place since October 10, local reports indicate intermittent violations by both sides.
The evacuation marks a rare moment of humanitarian relief amid ongoing tensions, with international agencies continuing to press for unimpeded aid and medical assistance to civilians affected by the war.