WHO suspends medical evacuations from Gaza following staff death

Gaza. World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced the suspension of medical evacuations from Gaza following the death of a UN-contracted staff member during an attack.

In a statement, Ghebreyesus expressed he was "shocked" to confirm the death of the WHO staffer. He confirmed that the WHO has suspended medical evacuations from Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt until further notice.

Noting that the incident is being investigated by relevant authorities, he praised the officials who remain active in ensuring healthcare for the people of Gaza despite the risks.

Al Jazeera, citing the Gaza Health Ministry, reported that more than 1,700 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.

Previously, Al Jazeera reported that at least 10 people were killed and many others injured in an Israeli airstrike near a school and housing for displaced Palestinians in central Gaza.