WHO halts Gaza evacuations after aid worker killed

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced it is suspending medical evacuations from the Gaza Strip after a humanitarian worker contracted by the agency was killed.

‘WHO confirms with deep sadness that a person contracted to provide services for the organisation in Gaza was killed today in a security incident,’ WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Platform X. He added that two other staff members were present at the scene and were not injured.

Following the incident, WHO immediately suspended planned evacuations of patients from Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt. ‘Medical evacuations will remain suspended until further notice,’ Ghebreyesus said.

The organisation did not provide further details of what happened, saying the incident is under investigation by the relevant authorities. WHO also called for the protection of civilians and aid workers.

Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire that came into force on 10 October in the Gaza Strip after two years of devastating war.

(bak)