Medical evacuations from Gaza to Egypt have been suspended following the killing of a World Health Organization (WHO) staff member when a vehicle transporting personnel was struck by Israeli fire. The incident, which occurred on a main road in southern Gaza, left the driver dead while two other staff members escaped unharmed. The attack underscores the extreme dangers faced by humanitarian workers attempting to deliver care in a region enduring a sustained genocidal war.

The WHO emphasised that the safety of healthcare personnel is directly tied to the safety of patients, noting that thousands of residents rely on these evacuation convoys to access essential treatment outside the territory. Egypt remains almost the only viable exit point for medical transfers, but ongoing restrictions and repeated interruptions have left many critically ill and wounded individuals trapped in a healthcare system devastated by years of military operations.

Israeli authorities described the incident as a response to a perceived immediate threat, claiming their forces opened warning shots before further fire resulted in the vehicle being hit. Investigations are ongoing, but the interruption of medical evacuations highlights the fragile humanitarian corridor and the life-threatening conditions faced by civilians who require urgent care.