Israel approves only quarter of over 21,000 patient evacuation requests from Gaza: UN

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN on Friday reported that Israel approved allowed the evacuation of only a quarter of the 21,000 patients in Gaza since October 2023.

"On Wednesday, WHO (World Health Organization) and its partners supported the medical evacuation of eight children and six of their companions from Gaza into Jordan," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference, adding that those evacuated will go to the US to receive specialize treatment.

"Once again, we call for the establishment of evacuation corridors and for all possible routes to be used for the safe and timely passage of all patients who need specialized care," he added.

Israel has continued its devastating offensive against Gaza since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. The onslaught has killed more than 43,700 people and rendered the enclave almost uninhabitable.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on Gaza.