The World Health Organization (WHO) has temporarily halted medical evacuations from Gaza to Egypt following the death of a contractor killed by Israeli troops. The contractor, identified as 54-year-old Majdi Aslan, was driving a WHO-rented vehicle in southern Gaza during the incident.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported that the contractor was involved in a 'security incident,' but provided no further details. Two other WHO staff members in the vehicle were not injured. The Gaza health ministry, operated by Hamas, stated that Aslan's vehicle was targeted by Israeli forces.
In a statement, the Israeli military explained that troops identified an unmarked vehicle approaching a defined boundary, prompting them to fire warning shots. When the vehicle accelerated, they responded with additional fire, which resulted in the fatality.
Tedros emphasized that the WHO has ceased all medical evacuations from Gaza until further notice, stressing the urgent need for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers. Hanan Balkhy, WHO's regional director, described Aslan's death as 'a devastating loss,' highlighting the critical gap this suspension creates in care pathways for patients awaiting medical assistance.
A colleague of Aslan indicated that the vehicle was clearly marked with the WHO logo and had been part of a coordinated effort to transport patients across the Rafah crossing when attacked.
Local accounts reveal that the Rafah crossing had reopened in February under a ceasefire agreement but was subsequently closed again due to escalating regional tensions, significantly hindering the movement of medical personnel and patients seeking care. According to reports, over 18,000 patients are currently awaiting treatment outside Gaza, deepening concerns over the humanitarian situation.
Amidst ongoing conflicts, both Israeli and Palestinian sources point to continuous violations of the ceasefire established nearly six months ago, indicating that the situation in Gaza remains perilous.}
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported that the contractor was involved in a 'security incident,' but provided no further details. Two other WHO staff members in the vehicle were not injured. The Gaza health ministry, operated by Hamas, stated that Aslan's vehicle was targeted by Israeli forces.
In a statement, the Israeli military explained that troops identified an unmarked vehicle approaching a defined boundary, prompting them to fire warning shots. When the vehicle accelerated, they responded with additional fire, which resulted in the fatality.
Tedros emphasized that the WHO has ceased all medical evacuations from Gaza until further notice, stressing the urgent need for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers. Hanan Balkhy, WHO's regional director, described Aslan's death as 'a devastating loss,' highlighting the critical gap this suspension creates in care pathways for patients awaiting medical assistance.
A colleague of Aslan indicated that the vehicle was clearly marked with the WHO logo and had been part of a coordinated effort to transport patients across the Rafah crossing when attacked.
Local accounts reveal that the Rafah crossing had reopened in February under a ceasefire agreement but was subsequently closed again due to escalating regional tensions, significantly hindering the movement of medical personnel and patients seeking care. According to reports, over 18,000 patients are currently awaiting treatment outside Gaza, deepening concerns over the humanitarian situation.
Amidst ongoing conflicts, both Israeli and Palestinian sources point to continuous violations of the ceasefire established nearly six months ago, indicating that the situation in Gaza remains perilous.}
