• WHO suspends medical evacuations from Gaza after a contractor's death.
• The contractor was reportedly killed by Israeli troops during a security incident.
• Medical evacuations to Egypt will remain suspended until further notice.
• WHO calls for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.
• Over 18,000 Palestinian patients are waiting for medical treatment outside Gaza.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has suspended medical evacuations from Gaza after a contractor was killed during a security incident linked to Israeli fire. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, expressed that the organization was “devastated” by the incident which left two additional staff members unharmed. Ongoing investigations will reflect on the security concerns in the region, emphasizing the urgent need for protection of civilians and humanitarian workers according to Le Monde, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

The contractor, identified locally as Majdi Aslan, was driving a WHO-rented vehicle when it was reportedly targeted by Israeli troops. Israel's military stated that the vehicle approached them unmarked and posed a security threat, prompting them to open fire after warning shots. This incident has raised alarms about continuing violations of the ceasefire that was established on October 10, particularly as both sides accuse each other of breaches, illustrating the precarious situation in Gaza, as detailed by BBC and Al Jazeera.

The suspension of evacuations is particularly critical as over 18,000 Palestinian patients await treatment outside Gaza. The Rafah crossing, which connects Gaza to Egypt, had been reopened earlier this year to facilitate medical evacuations and the delivery of humanitarian aid, but access remains limited due to stringent Israeli checks and ongoing military operations. This continuing health crisis emphasizes the urgent need for international intervention to ensure humanitarian corridors remain open, highlighted by Le Monde, BBC, and Al Jazeera.