2nd military plane carrying patients from Gaza arrives in Türkiye

By Merve Yildizalp

A second military plane carrying patients from Gaza and their attendants arrived in Türkiye on Monday for medical treatment.

The C-130 aircraft, belonging to Türkiye's National Defense Ministry, touched down with 26 patients, 32 accompanying individuals and medical personnel whose passage from Gaza to Egypt was facilitated.

It took off from Al Arish Airport in Egypt and landed at Etimesgut Military Airport in Ankara at 6.55 p.m. (1555GMT).

The wounded patients and their escorts were welcomed by Turkish Deputy Health Minister Tolga Tolunay.

Upon arriving at the airport, the patients were transferred to the city center via waiting ambulances.

The aircraft, carrying 1.2 tons of medicines and medical supplies along with nine healthcare personnel, took off this morning.

Earlier in the day, a defense ministry-owned A400M aircraft carrying 75 patients and 74 escorts from Gaza landed in Ankara.​​​​​​​

Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said “102 more patients and injured people from Gaza are being evacuated from Egypt to our country today with 105 companions for their treatment.”

He said preparations have been completed at Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital and Yenimahalle Training and Research Hospital.

Israel's air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas have killed at least 19,453 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The war has left Gaza in ruins, with half of the coastal territory's housing damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million people displaced within the densely-populated enclave amid shortages of food and clean water.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, while more than 130 hostages are still being held by the Palestinian group in Gaza, according to official figures.