The ongoing conflict in Gaza has pushed the local healthcare system to the brink of collapse amid severe medical shortages, leaving more than 20,000 sick and wounded Palestinians desperately waiting for medical evacuation as humanitarian access remains heavily restricted.
Three years of devastating conflict have left Gaza in ruins, with millions of Palestinians still displaced and border crossings operating under tight controls.
In the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, six-year-old Sila Abu Karim was left with a shrapnel-damaged spine following a local strike. Her family has been struggling to secure her medical evacuation since January.
"She has complications and is in constant pain. She needs surgery to stabilize her vertebrae and remove shrapnel. It's not a complicated operation, but here in Gaza we don't have the necessary equipment to perform it on a six-year-old child," said Hamza Abu Karim, father of the wounded child.
Another tragic case is 10-year-old Tala Ouda, who now relies on a wheelchair due to worsening chronic muscle weakness. She was displaced after her home in northern Gaza was destroyed. Her condition has worsened, leaving her dependent on a wheelchair.
"Tala's future has been lost since the war began. We haven't been able to find help to get her transferred for treatment abroad. I appeal to everyone with a conscience to stand with Tala and help her. She wants to stand and walk, but she can't. When she sees other children playing, she becomes frustrated," said Um Issa Ouda, Tala's grandmother.
Patients with severe illnesses are also caught in the crisis. Badr Al-Sawafiri, battling cancer, is anxiously awaiting transfer as critical medicine shortages have completely halted his treatment.
"He has had a referral for treatment abroad for four months, but nothing has happened. We are pleading for him to be allowed to travel for treatment because his health continues to deteriorate," said Ahmed Al-Sawafiri, son of the cancer patient.
Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 1,600 patients have died while waiting for medical evacuation. Only around 20 patients are currently evacuated each day.
"More than 20,000 patients are waiting to be transferred for treatment abroad. They urgently need medical care. Among them are 194 life-threatening cases requiring immediate evacuation, around 2,000 other emergency cases, and more than 5,000 children," said Zaher Al-Waheidi, director of the Health Information Center at the Gaza Health Ministry.
Gaza patients await medical evacuation as healthcare crisis deepens
