Jan Yunis. Israeli authorities introduced that 68 folks — sick and injured youngsters plus their companions — had been allowed to go away the Gaza Strip and enter Egypt, within the first medical evacuation since Could, when the Gaza Strip’s solely transit crossing was closed. territory.
The Israeli army physique liable for Palestinian civil affairs, recognized by its acronym COGAT, mentioned Thursday that the evacuation was carried out in coordination with officers from the US, Egypt and the worldwide neighborhood.
Kids and their companions left the Gaza Strip by way of the Kerem Shalom crossing and sufferers had been required to journey to Egypt and overseas for medical care.
The practically nine-month struggle between Israel and Hamas has devastated Gaza’s well being sector and compelled the closure of most of its hospitals. Well being authorities say 1000’s of individuals require medical remedy overseas, together with lots of of pressing circumstances.
Relations tearfully bid farewell to the youngsters as they and their escorts left Nasser Hospital within the southern Gaza metropolis of Khan Yunis for the Kerem Shalom freight crossing with Israel.
The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the one one accessible for folks to enter or depart, was closed after Israeli forces took management of it throughout their operation within the metropolis early final month. Egypt has refused to reopen its aspect of the crossing till the Gaza aspect is again beneath Palestinian management.
Six of the youngsters had been transferred to Nasser Hospital from Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza Metropolis earlier this week. 5 are affected by most cancers and one has metabolic syndrome. The evacuation was organised by the World Well being Organisation (WHO), which couldn’t be reached for remark.
Talking at a information convention at Nasser Hospital on Thursday, Dr. Mohammed Zaqout, director of Gaza’s hospitals, mentioned the evacuation was being carried out in coordination with the WHO and three American charities.
Zaqout mentioned greater than 25,000 sufferers in Gaza want remedy overseas, together with round 980 youngsters with most cancers, 1 / 4 of whom want “pressing and rapid evacuation.”
He mentioned the circumstances included in Thursday’s evacuation had been “a drop within the ocean” and that the difficult route by Kerem Shalom to Egypt can not function an alternative choice to the Rafah crossing.
At Nasser Hospital on Thursday morning, most of the households appeared anxious. Most kinfolk needed to keep behind, and even those that had been allowed to accompany the sufferers had been unaware of their ultimate vacation spot.
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– 2024-06-28 19:45:30
