UN Spokesperson: Over 18,500 Patients in Gaza Urgently Need Medical Evacuation

The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, stated today, Wednesday, that over 18,500 patients in the Gaza Strip, including 4,000 children, are still in urgent need of medical evacuation.

Dujarric added that the health situation in the sector is deteriorating rapidly due to a shortage of medical supplies and disruption of health services as a result of the difficult security and economic conditions.

He mentioned that many patients are suffering from critical conditions, including heart diseases, kidney failure, and cancer, which require urgent medical intervention.

Dujarric pointed out that the ongoing blockade on Gaza complicates efforts to evacuate these patients, posing a direct threat to their lives.

The spokesperson continued that the United Nations is working with its humanitarian partners to coordinate with local and international authorities to facilitate evacuation operations.

He also confirmed that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is making continuous efforts to ensure humanitarian aid reaches affected civilians, but the ongoing closure of border crossings complicates this process.

Dujarric added that the situation in Gaza is one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world, with rising numbers of casualties and injuries daily, and children being particularly affected by the attacks and unhealthy conditions.