DaysofPal- The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has warned that it may take escalatory measures, including the possible suspension of work related to medical referral cases, in protest against ongoing Israeli restrictions and procedural complications affecting the travel of patients seeking treatment outside the besieged enclave.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said that such measures would remain under consideration until its demands are met, including increasing the number of patients permitted to leave Gaza for medical treatment and facilitating the procedures required to obtain travel approvals.
The ministry also announced that it will begin publishing the reference numbers and dates of patient lists submitted to the World Health Organization (WHO) for travel approvals and security coordination, for which it has yet to receive any response.
A total of 36 patient lists have been submitted since February 2026, covering approximately 3,000 patients who are still awaiting the necessary approvals to leave Gaza and access treatment abroad.
The ministry noted that approvals are not being issued according to the order in which the lists were submitted, resulting in prolonged waiting periods and worsening conditions for patients whose cases require urgent medical intervention.
Emphasizing its commitment to transparency, the ministry expressed its readiness to provide official institutions, human rights organizations, oversight bodies, and media outlets with all information related to the work of the Medical Referrals Committee and the procedures governing the referral system.
It further stated that, in principle, it does not object to publishing the names of patients still awaiting approvals and security clearances. However, it has refrained from doing so in order to protect their privacy and preserve their personal rights.
The warning comes amid growing concern over the medical evacuation crisis in Gaza. Reports by the World Health Organization and data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health indicate that more than 18,500 patients and wounded individuals require urgent medical evacuation due to the severe shortage of healthcare services following the collapse of much of Gaza’s hospital infrastructure.
According to those reports, the “security screening” procedures imposed by Israeli authorities on patient lists have become one of the most significant obstacles to medical evacuations. Approval processes often take extended periods, leading in many cases to the deterioration of patients’ health conditions or even their deaths before they are able to travel and receive the treatment they need.
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