Patients are seen at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip
city of Khan Younis, on July 6, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Eighty-five sick and severely injured patients from Gaza were evacuated to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for specialized medical care in a large-scale joint operation.
This medical evacuation, facilitated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with the United Arab Emirates government and other partners, marks the largest such operation since October 2023.
The patients, consisting of 35 children and 50 adults, were transported from Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing to Israel's Ramon Airport.
Hanan Balkhy, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, praised the UAE's efforts, saying "I am immensely grateful to the United Arab Emirates for evacuating sick and severely injured patients from Gaza and providing them with lifesaving medical care."
The operation underscores the ongoing healthcare crisis in Gaza, where access to advanced medical care remains limited. The WHO and UAE's collaboration highlights a critical response to the urgent medical needs in the region.
