Premature babies rushed from Gaza hospital as hopes rise that deal is close over hostages

AMBULANCES began the evacuation of 28 premature babies out of Gaza this morning so they can receive medical treatment in Egypt.

- Jitendra Joshi

The babies were being transported to the Rafah crossing and will be treated in Egyptian hospitals once over the border, the Palestinian Red Crescent said. The evacuation came after the World Health Organisation said the infants were threatened by the prospect of serious infection, with 11 in critical condition.

They were previously in the al-Shifa hospital in the northern Gaza Strip before being moved to another hospital in southern Gaza. The moving of the babies is a joint effort between the Palestinian Red Crescent, the WHO and UN office for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs.

Four other babies were said to have died in the two days before the evacuation, which came after al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City was overrun by Israeli troops last Wednesday.