Israel blocks medical evacuations from Gaza, resulting in patient deaths

Two Patients in Gaza Struggle to Receive Medical Evacuation

In Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, 15-year-old Rafa al-Qudra has been denied medical evacuation despite having a referral for treatment outside the Gaza Strip. Al-Qudra’s eyesight was compromised due to her condition, which had become manageable with glasses and regular check-ups before the war.

Rafat al-Qudra, Rafa’s father, stated that his daughter’s situation worsened after the war, citing months of displacement, malnutrition, and the collapse of specialist care. Al-Qudra underwent multiple laser procedures, surgery on her right eye in June, and lens removal, but was unable to receive a solution to reduce her eye pressure due to its expiration.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 18,500 patients require medical evacuation from Gaza for treatment unavailable in the Strip. Israel’s bombardments have devastated Gaza’s health sector, which was already struggling before the war. The October ceasefire required the resumption of medical evacuations, but Israel has since closed the Rafah crossing and suspended all evacuations.

According to the WHO, six to 10 patients die each day waiting for treatment abroad, with approximately 1,200 deaths reported since Israel seized the Rafah crossing in May 2024. The charity Save the Children estimates that evacuating all those in need could take more than a year at current rates.

In another tent, five-year-old Fatima Saeed lies motionless due to her medical condition. Her mother, Wafaa, spends most of her time caring for her daughter, turning her body and fanning her with available materials to keep her cool. Both Rafa al-Qudra and Fatima Saeed have been waiting for medical evacuation for extended periods without receiving permission from Israel.

The Gaza Ministry of Health has reported that the health sector is struggling to cope with the situation, and international calls on Israel to follow its ceasefire obligations have fallen on deaf ears.

Source: Al Jazeera