WHO suspends medical evacuations from Gaza following death of contractor in 'security incident'

The evacuations were suspended after an individual who was contracted to provide services to the WHO in Gaza was killed during a security incident, Tedros said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) suspended medical evacuations of patients from Gaza to Egypt via the Rafah border crossing until further notice, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced Monday night.

The evacuations were suspended after an individual who was contracted to provide services to the WHO in Gaza was killed during a security incident, Tedros said.

Two WHO staff members were present at the incident but were not injured.

No other details of the incident were shared. However, Tedros wrote that it “is under investigation by the relevant authorities.”

The Rafah crossing

Medical evacuations via the Rafah crossing were last suspended between 23 and 25 March due to unsafe conditions. Rafah is currently the only point of access to outside medical care for those within Gaza.

According to the WHO, on March 27, thousands of patients still await medical evacuation from Gaza.