The World Health Organization called on Friday to resume urgent medical evacuation from the Gaza Strip, as up to 15,000 people need treatment outside the Strip.

The organization's representative in the Palestinian territories, Rick Peeperkorn, explained that the health needs in the Gaza Strip are enormous, and that only 18 hospitals out of 36 are partially operating, and 11 field hospitals, while the ceasefire allowed sufficient health supplies to reach about 1.6 million people.

He pointed to the burden of mental health in Gaza, while there are only two psychiatrists in the northern part of the Strip, in addition to the small number of mental health specialists, and the only mental health hospital has stopped operating since 2024.

Peppercorn added that the organization plans to expand Al-Shifa Hospital by 200 beds, while it is assessing the renovation of the Indonesian Hospital and installing a prefabricated health facility in Gaza City.

He explained that the organization deployed surgical teams to support capabilities in Al-Ahli Al-Arabi Hospital, and enhanced disease surveillance, response, and the operation of the early warning system, while hospitals in Rafah need renovation.