More than 1,000 patients in Gaza have died while waiting for urgent medical evacuation since July 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that between July 2024 and 28 November 2025, at least 1,092 people—including those with severe illnesses and injuries—lost their lives before receiving proper medical transfer abroad. The figure, he cautioned, is likely underreported.

According to the WHO, more than 10,600 patients, including over 5,600 children, have been evacuated since the conflict began in late 2023, but many more remain in Gaza waiting for treatment they cannot access locally.

Tedros urged the international community to open more evacuation routes and accept medical cases, including through the West Bank and East Jerusalem, to save lives.