231 patients and their companions were evacuated from Gaza for medical reasons to the United Arab Emirates and Romania, according to information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for civil affairs.
Among them, Abdel-Moneim, seriously injured by shrapnel, will finally be able to leave with his mother to receive the necessary care.
Israa al-Halabi, Abdel-Moneim’s mother, describes her son’s suffering and the urgency of his evacuation:
“Abdel-Moneim was hit by shrapnel in his right leg, which led to its amputation. His state of health is worrying: he suffers from third-degree burns all over his body, back and legs. Every forty-eight hours, he undergoes treatment to change the dressings on his wounds and burns. His amputated leg also has a high percentage of third-degree burns. Thank God he will be able to be taken care of. »
The patients left Gaza through the Kerem Shalom checkpoint before being transported to Ramon airport, in an operation coordinated with the United Arab Emirates, the European Union and the WHO. This medical transfer made it possible to offer hope of respite to many families exhausted by the violence and the shortage of care.
Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative, underlines the importance of this evacuation:
“Today, we are carrying out the medical evacuation of 228 people, including 88 patients in critical condition. 82 of them will be transferred to the United Arab Emirates with their relatives, while six very seriously ill patients will go to Romania. These are patients suffering from trauma, chronic illnesses and cancers. »
Although this operation represents the largest number of people allowed to leave Gaza in recent months, the needs remain immense.
According to the WHO, between 12,000 and 14,000 patients still require urgent evacuation for life-saving treatment.
Before the Rafah crossing closed in May, nearly 4,700 people were evacuated.
Since the start of the conflict in October 2023, human losses have amounted to more than 43,000 people.
