The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) affirms that denying thousands of patients access to life-saving treatment cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the systematic destruction of the foundations of survival in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the Center confirmed that 20,863 patients suffering from serious illnesses urgently need to travel abroad for treatment, including 5,342 children under the age of 18.
Among these patients, 2,194 are in extremely critical condition and require immediate medical evacuation, while 189 are fighting for their lives in extremely critical condition. Al-Wahidi added that the number of patients permitted to travel since the reopening of the Rafah crossing on February 1st is very small compared to the large number of patients awaiting medical evacuation. Only 1,242 patients have been allowed to leave Gaza, while 241 patients were permitted to leave through the Kerem Abu Salem crossing during the same period. These patرients represent only 7.1% of the total number of patients awaiting medical evacuation.
