The health catastrophe in the Gaza Strip continues to worsen amid the ongoing blockade and closure of the crossings, which has led to the deaths of hundreds of patients and prevented thousands more from receiving treatment.

The World Health Organization announced that more than 900 patients in Gaza have died due to delays in medical evacuation for treatment outside the Strip, while nearly 16,500 patients are still awaiting approval to travel — including 4,000 children in urgent need of evacuation. The organization warned that “any delay in critical cases is effectively a death sentence.”

Call for Immediate Opening of Crossings

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for the immediate opening of all crossings and for unhindered medical and humanitarian movement to and from Gaza, stressing that the closure and obstruction of patient transfers have led to a collapse of the health system and a surge in critical cases.

The organization noted that since May 2024 it has carried out around 119 medical-evacuation missions, transferring more than 8,000 patients, including 5,500 children. Meanwhile, hospitals are now operating at less than half of their capacity due to severe shortages of medicines, fuel, and essential equipment.

Since October 8, 2023, the Zionist enemy — with U.S. support — has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, resulting in more than 68,800 martyrs, over 170,000 injured, 10,000 missing, and massive destruction of infrastructure, public services, and institutions.