Mohammed Zaqout, Director General of Hospitals at the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, has warned that more than 12,000 patients and wounded individuals require immediate medical evacuation due to the catastrophic collapse of the Strip’s healthcare system. Already crippled by years of blockade, Gaza’s hospitals have been overwhelmed by over 15 months of relentless Israeli military operations.

Zaqout stressed that at least 6,000 cases—including both patients and victims of recent Israeli attacks—are currently ready for transfer abroad. However, the limited number of individuals permitted to leave Gaza daily through the Rafah border crossing remains woefully inadequate to meet the urgent medical needs.

Since its temporary reopening under a ceasefire agreement on 19 January 2025, only 50 patients and their companions have been allowed to exit the enclave each day. On Saturday, 50 children and their guardians were transported to Egyptian hospitals, while a technical committee continues to assess and prioritise critical cases. Zaqout expressed hope for an increase in daily evacuations but warned that the current quota fails to address the dire humanitarian crisis.

While Egypt has agreed to treat some patients, Zaqout urged the international community to step in and facilitate medical transfers to other countries, as Gaza’s remaining medical facilities can no longer provide essential care. The Rafah crossing had been shut since early May after Israeli forces seized control of the area, further restricting access to life-saving treatment for thousands in need.

The ongoing war, which began on 7 October 2023, has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, with hospitals operating far beyond their capacity and dependent on dwindling international aid. Without urgent global intervention, thousands of critically ill and wounded Palestinians face a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.