More than 80 patients evacuated from Gaza in biggest operation of war, WHO says

CAIRO (Reuters) -At least 85 sick and severely injured Palestinians from Gaza, including 35 children, were evacuated to Abu Dhabi for specialized care, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

"This extremely complex joint evacuation was supported by the (United Arab Emirates), WHO, and partners. It is the largest medical evacuation since October 2023," Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on X.

The evacuated patients suffered from various severe conditions including cancer, neurological issues and cardiac diseases. They were accompanied by 63 family members and caregivers, Tedros said.

Gaza's medical sector has been crippled after a nearly 10-month long military operation, prompted by Hamas' Oct. 7 cross-border attacks on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to 253 people being taken hostage.

During the conflict, Israel has raided and bombed hospitals, justifying its actions by saying Hamas allegedly uses the facilities for military purposes. Many of them are currently shuttered.

Medical evacuations from Gaza have been rare since May when the main crossing used for medical transfers, Rafah, was shut as Israel stepped up its military operation in southern Gaza.

Previously, the WHO said some 10,000 patients are waiting for evacuation.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Writing by Adam Makary; Editing by Daniel Wallis and David Gregorio)