Medical response

Medical Response

Israel actively and continuously operates to facilitate the increase of the medical response in Gaza. This is done in close coordination with humanitarian aid organizations specializing in health services, and donor countries.

There are no limits on the provision of medical assistance. Israel stands ready to help in accordance with requests arriving through the appropriate channels from international organizations and remains in continual contact with the hospital administrations in Gaza.

A medical response team is set up within COGAT, dedicated to improving the medical response in Gaza, both in terms of local and external capabilities. The medical team works with partners from other Israeli official entities such as the Ministry of Health to facilitate a medical response for the Gaza Strip.

This effort is complicated, given Hamas's exploitation of almost all the medical infrastructures of a healthcare system which has necessitated the establishment of alternative medical service centers like field hospitals and clinics.

Polio Initiatives

COGAT ensures ongoing medical support in all areas by coordinating with health stakeholders and the international community. Since the outbreak of the war, Israel has facilitated the establishment of 14 field hospitals in Gaza, the entry of thousands of trucks carrying thousands of tons of medical supplies, which were distributed to the population, as well as vaccines to prevent other diseases and epidemics, and the rotation of international medical teams operating in the Gaza Strip.

COGAT has been facilitating critical medical aid to Gaza since the start of the war. A focus of these medical efforts has been the prevention of disease and epidemics, including the coordination of vaccine deliveries and the support of medical teams entering Gaza.

Per directives from the political echelon, COGAT officers met with representatives from the UN and other international organizations to finalize and coordinate the polio vaccination campaign that commenced September 1, 2024, in the Gaza Strip.

As part of the vaccination campaign, international organizations operating in the Gaza Strip worked to vaccinate hundreds of thousands of children against polio at three locations as follows:

Stage 2

Between October 14-17, 2024, vaccinations will be administered to children in the central Gaza Strip between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Between October 19-22, 2024, vaccinations will be administered to children in the southern Gaza Strip between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Between October 23-25, 2024, vaccinations will be administered to children in the northern Gaza Strip between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

Polio Vaccine Campaign Update:

92,821 children under 10 in central Gaza were vaccinated against polio during the first day of the second round of the campaign, and 76,394 children received vitamin A treatment.

Stage 1

Between September 1-3, 2024, vaccinations will be administered to children in the central Gaza Strip between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Between September 4-6, 2024, vaccinations will be administered to children in the southern Gaza Strip between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Between September 7-9, 2024, vaccinations will be administered to children in the northern Gaza Strip between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

At the end of each regional vaccination campaign, a situational assessment will be conducted for the area.

The Polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip was undertaken in coordination with the IDF through COGAT and the IDF's Southern Command and worked to ensure that the population can safely reach the medical centers where the vaccinations will be administered.

In preparation for the campaign, COGAT and the international organizations conducted joint assessments, including the import of vaccines, medical and logistical equipment, refrigeration units for vaccine storage and transportation, the entry of polio-specialized medical teams into the Gaza Strip, marking vaccination areas in the operational systems, and more.

It should be noted that since the beginning of the war, 355,000 vials of polio vaccine, sufficient for 4,800,000 doses, have entered the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom Crossing in coordination with COGAT. In addition, 282,936 vials of vaccines against a series of diseases and epidemics have been delivered - a quantity that is sufficient to 1,000,000 civilians. As part of a broader vaccination campaign, 9,000 vials—equivalent to 90,000 doses—were initially delivered through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Additionally, vaccines for 1,081,250 recipients were brought in for the campaign.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 90% of the population in the Gaza Strip was vaccinated against polio in the first quarter of 2024.

Furthermore, as part of the medical response provided by Israel, COGAT maintains regular contact and conducts situational assessments with all relevant health system authorities and the international community to monitor the medical situation in the Gaza Strip.

Israel, through COGAT, will continue to coordinate and cooperate with international aid organizations to provide medical care to the residents of the Gaza Strip.

Israel sees the prevention of a polio outbreak in the Gaza Strip as an important mission in the humanitarian effort.

Field Hospitals

COGAT constantly promotes the establishment of new field hospitals to expand the medical infrastructure for the civilian population.

The Jordanian Field Hospital
The UAE Field Hospital
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Field Hospital
The Red Crescent Hospital

The Jordanian field hospital in Khan Yunis was opened on November 29, 2023. When established, it had 41 beds and 104 medical staff.. Medical services include: neonatal care (40 incubators), orthopedic, pediatric, surgeries (including arteries, brain, and nervous system), urology, internal medicine, gynecology, plastic surgery, and intensive care.

The IMC Field Hospital in Al-Mawasi
UK Med Field Hospital - Muasi
The IMC Field Hospital in Deir El Balah
The Red Cross Hospital Field Hospital

The IMC Field Hospital in Al-Mawasi opened on January 6th, 2024, with 170 beds with a personnel of 600.Medical services include: An emergency room, Pediatrics, Otolaryngology, General and Vascular surgery, women's department (women’s health and fertility) and maternity, delivery room, intensive care for adults and newborns, Laboratory, a Radiology unit (2 x-rays and 6 ultrasounds), Occupational therapy, and Plastic surgery. When military activity began in the area of Rafah the patients and medical equipment were transferred to Ithe MC field hospital in Deir El Balah.

UK Med Field Hospital
UK Med Field Hospital
Al-Zawaida Field Hospital
The UAE Floating Hospital

UK Med Field Hospital - Deir al Balah

The UK Med Field Hospital opened on May 12, 2024, with 16 beds and 20 personnel. The hospital operates on a type 1 basis - intensive care.

The French Floating Hospital
The Italian Floating Hospital
Mobile Clinics

The French Floating Hospital docked at Al-Arish in Egypt port on November 11th had 40 beds, and treated over 2,000 patients. Its operation ended on January 28, 2024.

Medical Supplies

Since the start of the war, thousands of tons of medical supplies have entered the Gaza Strip to support the medical response for Gaza civilians. The supplies were distributed to various hospitals and clinics including in northern Gaza Strip.

COGAT established a designated team in coordination with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other security forces, to promote medical initiatives.

A daily humanitarian assessment is carried out with representatives of the Int’l organizations and professional figures from the Israeli healthcare system.

In coordination with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, ill and wounded civilians exit the Gaza Strip for treatment. So far, 410 ill and wounded along with 665 escorts have exited Gaza, via the Kerem Shalom crossing, for treatment in Egypt, the UAE, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan as well as various other countries.

Israel takes proactive steps to facilitate the departure of patients, especially children in critical conditions, for medical treatment outside Gaza. This is subject to a receiving country's consent and a security evaluation.

To date, 24 groups have exited Gaza, transporting 1,075 patients and escorts through Israel to 13 different countries. We are committed to continuing this humanitarian mission, coordinating further departures as needed.

Israel is prepared to handle larger volumes of patients than those currently leaving. The scope of transfers is based on the capacity of international organizations and the willingness of third countries to accept patients, not on any limitation imposed by Israel.

Israel invested significant resources to allow the movement of patients through its territory. For instance, the Kerem Shalom crossing, typically used for goods, has been adapted to accommodate the transfer of patients and their escorts in coordination with int'l orgs.

Supporting local health system

130 ambulances entered the Gaza Strip to bolster first responder capabilities.

Number of Ambulances	Donor
32 ambulances	Kuwait
2 ambulances	Egypt
18 ambulances	Qatar
29 ambulances	Saudi Arabia
17 ambulances	Turkey
10 ambulances	United Arab Emirates
1 ambulances	Australia
1 ambulance	Pakistan
3 ambulances	Libya
17 ambulances	Additional

Despite repeated warnings from Israel, demanding that Hamas refrain from exploiting medical facilities for terror purposes, Hamas utilized the Kamal Adwan Hospital as a command center for its operations in Jabaliya. Based on precise intelligence from the IDF and Israeli Security Agency (ISA), the presence of Hamas operatives, weapons, and other military assets was confirmed within the hospital.

To this means, the IDF conducted a targeted and precise operation against the Hamas command center:

Parts of the operation included:

Evacuation of Personnel and Civilians: Before the operation, extensive coordination ensured the safe evacuation of all medical personnel, patients, and civilians.

Encircling and Security Measures: The 401st Brigade secured the area around the hospital, apprehending terrorists and neutralizing those attempting attacks against IDF forces.
Special Operations: Special forces entered the hospital in a targeted raid operation, and discovered significant weapon caches, including grenades, firearms, RPGs, and other military equipment.

Key Outcomes of the Operation

Over 240 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists, including high-ranking operatives, were apprehended.
Among those arrested were engineering and anti-tank missile specialists, as well as 15 terrorists involved in the October 7th Massacre.

Weapons, booby-trapped areas, and military equipment were located and neutralized, ensuring the safety of future operations in the area.
The director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, suspected of being a Hamas operative, was among those detained for questioning.
On Nov. 24, during the IDF’s activity in the Shifa Hospital, and following the IDF's offer of humanitarian assistance to the director general of the Shifa Hospital, the IDF transferred 3 incubators, 100 packages of baby formula, and 14 boxes of medical supplies to the Shifa Hospital. This is in addition to the 300 liters of fuel the IDF gave the Shifa hospital, which Hamas prevented the hospital from accepting.
Since December 23, over 1 million doses of vaccines for Diphtheria, Tetanus, whooping cough, and Hepatitis B have been distributed to Gaza.
The IDF carried out precise operations against the Hamas terrorist organization in Khan Yunis. According to IDF intelligence, Hamas was operating out of Nasser Hospital and Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis. The IDF liaised with the hospital directors and medical staff, on the phone and on the ground, to ensure that the hospitals remained operational and accessible. On Feb. 10, the IDF facilitated the delivery of over 20 oxygen tanks and additional medical equipment to Al Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, coordinated by COGAT officers, the hospital, and international aid organizations. Due to the use of the hospital by terrorists as an operational hideout, intricate coordination was carried out with an international aid organization and local officials.
On March 3, 50 incubators designated for hospitals in the northern and southern Gaza Strip entered Gaza. The incubators, donated by UNICEF, were delivered to the following hospitals: Shifa Hospital, Kamal Adwan, Hospital, European Hospital, Nasser Hospital, and Aqsa Hospital.
On March 22, During a precise operation at the Shifa Hospital against the Hamas terror organization, who were using the hospital as a terror stronghold, the IDF continued to deliver humanitarian aid to the sections of the hospital that needed it. We coordinated and supplied a fuel truck and aid to the civilian population, including water and 3.8 tons of food. The aid was brought into a designated compound, where sick and wounded patients were evacuated for their safety.

Medical treatment Abroad

Israel facilitates the exit of ill and wounded civilians for treatment in third countries. This is done in coordination with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey and various other nations. Since the start of the war, 410 ill and wounded along with 665 escorts have exited Gaza via the Keram Shalom Crossing, for treatment in Egypt, the UAE, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan and various other nations.

Until the start of the IDF ground operation in Rafah in early May 2024, military activity in Rafah, patients and their escorts would exit Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt and then onwards for treatment. Once Rafah was closed, Israel developed an alternative medical evacuation route. As of August 2024, the exit of patients is done via the Kerem Shalom Crossing.

This is done in close coordination with the countries receiving the patients for treatment, and after security evaluation, departure coordination, and the reception of the ill and wounded at their destination. A country interested in participating in the medical transfer process, including receiving the patients for treatment, should reach out to COGAT through the appropriate channels.