Thousands of patients in the Gaza Strip remain stranded and waiting for medical treatment outside the enclave despite a cease-fire, as evacuations continue only a few times a week, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said 12,913 patients, including 6,186 children, have been medically evacuated from Gaza since October 2023, accompanied by about 16,000 family members or other companions.
The pace of evacuations remains limited. Jasarevic said 101 patients and 164 companions were evacuated during the week of Aug. 2-8, with medical transfers currently taking place three to four times a week.
"Thousands of patients are still awaiting medical evacuation," Jasarevic said in a written response to Anadolu Agency (AA).
The continuing backlog highlights the strain on Gaza's health system, which has been devastated by the war and faces shortages of medical supplies, damaged facilities and limited access to specialized treatment.
