Ministry of Health in Gaza: Evacuation of the sick and injured will take 8 years due to Israeli restrictions

The Ministry of Health in Gaza stated that the evacuation of Palestinian patients and injured people who need to be treated abroad will take 8 years with the current travel mechanism due to Israeli restrictions, and announced that this situation means a "slow death sentence" for thousands of people.

In an urgent written statement, the Ministry of Health in Gaza stated that even if no new cases were added to the list, it would take at least 4 years to send 21 thousand patients and injured people abroad with current procedures.

In the statement, it was emphasized that 4 more years were needed for evacuation, with new cases added to the list every month due to restrictions, as well as those injured in Israeli attacks, thus the total period reached approximately 8 years.

Pointing out that these periods pose a life-threatening situation for patients, the statement said, "This situation means a direct and slow death sentence for thousands of patients whose bodies cannot stand waiting for days or even weeks." The statement was included.

The statement also noted that the numbers shared are not just statistics; they are the cries of more than 21 thousand people who are deprived of their most basic rights, the right to treatment and life, every day.

The statement held that Israel was entirely responsible for the situation, and called on the United Nations, the international community, humanitarian aid and human rights organizations to put urgent pressure on Israel to fully open the border gates to ensure the evacuation of the sick and injured without restrictions.