Doctors Without Borders Urges Expanded Medical Evacuations from Gaza

Doctors Without Borders Urges Expanded Medical Evacuations from Gaza
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A Doctors Without Borders (MSF) official has called on countries to increase medical evacuations from Gaza, warning that hundreds have already died waiting for urgent treatment, Arab News reported. Hani Isleem, who coordinates medical evacuations for the organization, described the need as “really huge,” noting that the number of patients taken in by countries so far represents only “a drop in the ocean.”

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 8,000 patients have been evacuated from Gaza since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023, while over 16,500 remain in need of treatment abroad. Isleem cautioned that the true figure could be three to four times higher, as many patients have not been formally registered for evacuation.

To date, over 30 countries have accepted patients, though only a few, including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, have received significant numbers. In Europe, Italy has admitted over 200 patients, France 27 by the end of October, and Germany none. Switzerland in November took in 20 children, many with life-threatening conditions such as severe congenital heart disease, cancer, and complex orthopedic injuries. Isleem accompanied 13 of these children, noting that some required immediate surgery to avoid irreversible harm.

Despite a US-brokered ceasefire and a substantial reduction in Israeli refusals—from 90 percent to five percent—the pace of evacuations has slowed dramatically. Initially, around 1,500 patients were evacuated each month, but following the May 2024 closure of the Rafah crossing into Egypt, monthly evacuations have fallen to roughly 70. In October, 148 patients were evacuated, 71 in November, and only about 30 are expected in December.

Isleem highlighted bureaucratic and politicized delays by nations in approving evacuations, as well as restrictive criteria, including prioritizing children over adults and denying entry to patients accompanied by family members, particularly males over 18. He emphasized that three-quarters of those awaiting evacuation are adults. “Countries need to stop this selection shopping list and focus solely on needs and saving lives,” Isleem said, stressing the urgency of expanding access to life-saving medical care for all who require it in Gaza.