Palestinian health authorities have confirmed the evacuation of 45 patients and injured individuals from the beleaguered Gaza Strip for critical medical treatment.
These individuals were transferred from the European Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, embarking on their journey through the Kerem Shalom Crossing into Israel. Their destination is the United Arab Emirates, where they will receive the necessary healthcare.
Accompanying these patients are over 100 relatives, granting essential support during their medical ordeal. Among those evacuated is 10-year-old Abdullah Abu Yousef, a child battling kidney failure. Despite the rejection of his mother’s application by Israeli authorities, his sister accompanies him, underscoring the strict security screenings imposed by Israel.
Abeer Abu Yousef, the boy’s mother, expressed her distress, stating, ‘The boy is sick. He requires hemodialysis three to four days a week.’ Such cases highlight the dire need for medical interventions and the logistical complexities involved in securing treatment for Gaza residents.
The Health Ministry has reported that thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are in urgent need of medical treatment abroad. This critical situation has arisen due to the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, which suffered significantly following Israel’s military actions post Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023.
With Israel exercising control over all entry and exit points since the capture of Rafah in May, the healthcare system within Gaza faces severe limitations. Most hospitals have been forced to shut down, and those still operational are only partially functional. This evacuation marks a poignant chapter in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, showcasing the immense hurdles for those seeking essential medical care.
The evacuation of these 45 individuals underscores the humanitarian challenges faced by Gaza’s residents amidst a shattered health infrastructure. As the need for medical treatment persists, efforts and collaborations between regions remain crucial to addressing the profound medical needs of the population.
Source: News4jax
