Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the evacuation of 104 patients, mostly children, from the Gaza Strip, but called for the pace to be accelerated as thousands wait to be evacuated.

According to Qatar News Agency, since Saturday, WHO has supported the medical evacuation of 104 patients - the large majority of them children - out of Gaza via the Rafah crossing to receive specialized care in Egypt. Additionally, 172 companions traveled with the patients.

WHO Director-General stated that around 12,000-14,000 people still need medical evacuation. These individuals require medical care that cannot be provided to them in the Strip, whose health infrastructure has completely collapsed after more than 15 months of war.

In a speech on Tuesday, Ghebreyesus affirmed that the current priorities include meeting urgent health needs, supporting the operation of hospitals and primary care facilities, and transporting patients inside and outside Gaza to receive specialized medical care.