The World Health Organisation (WHO) has, for the first time since the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip two weeks ago, evacuated severely ill and injured children to safety for urgent treatment.

The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on X that 41 children, accompanied by 145 relatives and caregivers, were safely transported out of Gaza for specialized medical attention.

A WHO spokesperson also confirmed that all the patients were children, adding that due to operational concerns, the countries receiving the young patients cannot yet be disclosed for security reasons.

Tedros noted that about 15,000 patients in Gaza are still awaiting approval to leave the enclave for medical attention, stressing the urgent need for faster humanitarian access.

He called on countries to “show solidarity” by facilitating medical evacuations and opening available routes to ensure the safe transfer of critically ill civilians trapped in the conflict zone.