Archive · 20 Dec 2025
Over 1,000 Patients Died Awaiting Gaza Evacuation: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that over 1,000 patients have died in Gaza while waiting to be evacuated for urgent medical treatment.
Since the start of the war more than two years ago, the WHO and its partners have evacuated over 10,600 patients, including more than 5,600 children.
However, many more patients are still in Gaza waiting for evacuation.
The WHO says that 1,092 patients died just between July 2024 and November 2025 while waiting for medical evacuation.
The actual number of people in need of urgent evacuation is likely much higher.
The WHO is calling on more countries to accept patients from Gaza and for medical evacuation to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored.
A US-sponsored ceasefire has halted fighting in Gaza, but the deal is fragile as Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violations.
Over 1,000 patients died awaiting medical evacuation from Gaza between July 2024 and November 2025.
WHO and partners evacuated over 10,600 patients, including 5,600 children, since the start of the war.
18,500 patients, including 4,000 children, still need treatment outside Gaza.
30 countries have taken patients from Gaza, with Egypt and the United Arab Emirates accepting large numbers.
A US-sponsored ceasefire is in effect, but it remains fragile with daily accusations of violations.
- Who
- World Health Organization (WHO), Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, Doctors Without Borders, US
- What
- Over 1,000 patients died awaiting medical evacuation from Gaza; 10,600 patients evacuated; 18,500 still need treatment outside Gaza
- When
- Between July 2024 and November 28, 2025; ceasefire in effect since October 10, 2025
- Where
- Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem, 30 countries including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates
- Why
- Patients need urgent medical treatment that cannot be provided in Gaza due to the war
- Number of Patients Evacuated
- 10,600
- Number of Children Evacuated
- 5,600
- Patients Died Awaiting Evacuation (July 2024 - November 2025)
- 1,092
- Patients Still Needing Treatment Outside Gaza
- 18,500
- Children Still Needing Treatment Outside Gaza
- 4,000
- Countries Accepting Patients from Gaza
- 30
- Major Countries Accepting Large Numbers of Patients
- Egypt, United Arab Emirates
