On August 14, 2025, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, announced a significant humanitarian effort: the medical evacuation of 38 patients and 99 relatives from the Gaza Strip. This operation was facilitated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, with Belgium, Italy, and Türkiye serving as the receiving nations. The World Health Organization, Italy, Serbia, and Türkiye provided the crucial transportation.
Commissioner Lahbib expressed gratitude to the participating nations for their vital support in addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This evacuation highlights the immense strain on Gaza's healthcare system, exacerbated by a prolonged blockade that restricts essential medical supplies. Hospitals in the enclave have been struggling to provide basic care to over two million residents. The conflict, which began in October 2023, has resulted in extensive Israeli military operations, significant casualties, and widespread destruction. International legal scrutiny has intensified, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. In response, the United States has imposed sanctions on the ICC. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been instrumental in coordinating humanitarian aid, including medical evacuations, since April 2024, following calls from the World Health Organization, facilitating the transfer of hundreds of patients and their companions to European hospitals.