Dozens of patients and the injured have been evacuated from the war-torn Gaza Strip for medical treatment outside the region, where the United Nations reports that Israel’s attacks on hospitals and their surroundings have pushed the healthcare system to the brink of collapse.
The European Hospital in Khan Younis saw 45 patients leave early on Tuesday to travel through the Kerem Shalom Crossing into Israel, according to Palestinian health officials. These patients are set to receive treatment in the United Arab Emirates. Among them is 10-year-old Abdullah Abu Yousef, who is suffering from kidney failure. Accompanied by his sister after his mother’s application to join him was rejected by Israeli authorities, Abdullah requires hemodialysis three to four days a week.
Abeer Abu Yousef, Abdullah’s mother, expressed concern for her son’s health, stating, “The boy is sick. He requires hemodialysis three to four days a week.” The Health Ministry estimates that several thousand Palestinians in Gaza are in need of medical treatment abroad. Since capturing the city of Rafah in May, Israel has maintained control over all entry and exit points. The ongoing Israeli offensive, initiated following an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has severely impacted Gaza’s healthcare system, leading to the closure of most hospitals in the region.
The situation in Gaza has drawn international attention, with the U.N. Human Rights Office raising concerns about Israel’s actions targeting hospitals in Gaza. The U.N. report highlights that these attacks have pushed Gaza’s healthcare system “to the brink of total collapse” and may have breached international law. Israeli forces have besieged and raided multiple hospitals in Gaza, accusing Hamas militants of using these facilities for military purposes without substantial evidence.
Recent events include the raid by Israeli troops on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, where the director was detained, and the apprehension of 240 suspected militants. The U.N. report, covering the period from October 12, 2023, to June 30, 2024, documents 136 strikes on 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system and the loss of life resulting from these attacks.
While Israel has alleged that hospitals lose their protection under international law when used for military purposes, the report notes a lack of concrete evidence to substantiate these claims. The ongoing conflict, sparked by Hamas’ attack into Israel in October 2023, has severely crippled Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, leaving the remaining hospitals functioning at limited capacity.
As the situation escalates in Gaza, the international community continues to monitor the unfolding humanitarian crisis. Efforts are being made to address the urgent medical needs of the population while navigating the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict and the impact of Israel’s military operations on the region’s healthcare system.
