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Monday, September 29, 2025
UN calls for immediate evacuation of 25 babies in incubators from Gaza City
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GENEVA, Switzerland — The UN children’s charity calls for an immediate evacuation to save at least 25 ill or premature babies in incubators in Gaza City.
The city has been under an evacuation order by the Israel Defense Forces since earlier this month, ahead of its offensive.
Palestinian health officials say tanks are surrounding the area near Al Helo Hospital, where at least 12 babies are in incubators. Medics say the site was shelled. Video obtained by Reuters shows hospital rooms and beds there strewn with debris.
“It is time to move them because Gaza City again has become a combat zone, but moving them where? There is no safe place for them to go,” UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires tells Reuters.
Israeli authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Evacuation of the babies, many of them newborns, will mean moving them to makeshift carts, wrapped in blankets with portable oxygen supplies and drips, Pires said. Still, they could be exposed to infection, variable temperatures or supplies could run out during the transfer.
“Moving them seems like the best option we have now… but at the same time, it’s a very risky one.”
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.