Today's Edition
ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) suspended medical evacuations from Gaza through the Rafah border crossing on Monday after a contractor was killed in what the organisation described as a security incident.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the agency was "devastated" by the death, which is currently under investigation, and offered condolences to the contractor's family and loved ones.
"WHO is devastated to confirm that a person contracted to provide services to the Organisation in Gaza was killed today during a security incident. We extend our condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of the deceased. The incident is under investigation by the relevant authorities," he wrote in a statement on X.
The UN health chief reported that two other WHO staff members were present during the incident but were not injured, adding that medical evacuations from Gaza to Egypt through Rafah have been suspended until further notice.
"Following the incident, the WHO suspended today's medical evacuation of patients from Gaza via Rafah to Egypt. Medical evacuations will remain suspended until further notice. We are deeply grateful to our colleagues who work day and night despite the risks to ensure that the people of Gaza can access the health care they need," he said.
"We call for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers. Peace is the best medicine."
Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, said that she was saddened by the loss and warned that the halt in evacuations had shut down one of the few remaining ways for patients to reach treatment.
"This incident has also forced the suspension of medical evacuations, cutting off a critical pathway to care for patients. Access is shrinking as needs continue to rise," she added in a post on X.
"When those delivering health care are not safe, patients are not safe. All parties MUST protect civilians and humanitarian workers and ensure safe, sustained access to care."
With hospitals across Gaza damaged during the war with Israel, many residents are struggling to obtain proper treatment. That includes people wounded in the conflict, as well as patients with chronic illnesses and cancer.
The WHO said that, as of March 27, thousands of patients in Gaza were still waiting to be medically evacuated.
Medical evacuations through the Rafah crossing were previously halted from March 23 to March 25 because of unsafe conditions. Rafah remains the only route for people in Gaza to access medical treatment outside the territory.
