UPDATE - WHO welcomes Egypt's decision to accept some injured, sick Gazans

UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM RED CROSS

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday welcomed Egypt's decision to accept some injured and sick Gazans for treatment.

"We have been working with Egypt's Health Ministry on planning for medical evacuations, and will continue to support," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X.

The attention "must not be diverted" from the greater needs of thousands of patients in Gaza, many of whom are extremely fragile and unable to be relocated, Tedros urged.

"We need an immediate acceleration in the flow of medical aid permitted into Gaza," he said and warned: "Hospitals must be protected from bombardment and military use."

***Meanwhile, the head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also welcomed Egypt’s decision and reiterated the need of "unhindered access to humanitarians" for assistance.

**"A group of people, wounded and sick, have been allowed to cross the Rafah border today between Gaza and Egypt. It brought some hope but not enough," Jagan Chapagain said on X.

***"I reiterate my call on all the parties to grant safe and unhindered access to humanitarians to let them provide life-saving assistance," he added.

Egyptian authorities had informed the border authority in Gaza that the Rafah border crossing would open on Wednesday to facilitate the passage of critically injured Palestinian patients for treatment in Egypt.

This week the Israeli army expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise offensive against Israel on Oct. 7.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have repeatedly targeted hospitals, residences and house of worship such as mosques and churches. Under the Geneva Convention, attacks on hospitals are strictly prohibited.

More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict since then – 8,525 Palestinians, including 3,542 children, and 1,538 Israelis.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected international calls for a cease-fire.