The Norwegian Government has decided to accept up to 15 new patients from Gaza.
In June 2024, the Government agreed to the evacuation of up to 20 patients from Gaza to Norway to receive treatment from the Norwegian specialist health services. The last two of these patients were evacuated to Norway on 5 May, and all the patients have received or are now receiving medical treatment.
Norway is participating in an EU-led operation for the evacuation of patients from Gaza. The first medical evacuations were carried out in the summer of 2024, and since then a total of 206 patients and 450 companions have been evacuated from Gaza and Egypt to 13 European countries. Norway is receiving the fourth highest number of patients. In addition, Norway has provided a specially equipped medical aircraft to transport patients to other European countries.
Norway is providing funding for various measures to assist the people of Gaza. The funding from Norway is being channelled to humanitarian organisations operating in Gaza, organisations that deliver humanitarian assistance when the borders are open, and to the Palestinian Government. Much of this humanitarian aid is intended to alleviate the extreme health crisis in Gaza and increase the capacity of the local health services. Gaza’s health system has been largely reduced to rubble as a result of the ongoing hostilities.
‘As a result of Israel's escalation of the war in Gaza and the 11-week blockade that began on 2 March, the situation for Palestinians in Gaza is nothing short of inhumane. The brutal treatment of the civilian population in Gaza is deeply shocking and completely unacceptable. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms. Norway has repeatedly urged Israel to allow full and immediate access for the UN and humanitarian organisations, so that life-saving assistance can reach all those in need of it,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
Since the start of the war, the Israeli authorities have denied chronically ill patients from Gaza access to treatment at hospitals in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. As a result, there are thousands of patients in Gaza suffering from life-threatening chronic illnesses, all in urgent need of specialist health care.
‘I am pleased that Norway is able to provide specialised treatment to patients from Gaza. Our healthcare personnel will ensure that the patients receive high-quality medical treatment at various hospitals across the country. Those in need of long-term follow-up will receive this,’ said Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre.
‘Medical evacuation from Gaza has been carried out thanks to a broad collaboration involving many different agencies on the Norwegian side. The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection has overall responsibility for coordinating these complex operations, in close cooperation with the Norwegian National Coordination Centre for medevac, the police and the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. These efforts will continue, as part of our contribution to the international effort to support Gaza,’ said Minister of Justice and Public Security Astri Aas-Hansen.
In addition to receiving 20 patients, Norway has also taken in a limited number of companions. A total of 62 people have been evacuated to Norway from Gaza. Most of the patients are children, who have been accompanied by family members. These individuals will form part of Norway’s annual resettlement quota and the Government has earmarked a share of a total of 100 quota places for people coming to Norway under the medical evacuation scheme.
The patients and their companions will be resettled in selected municipalities. The municipalities and the health sector must continually assess their capacity to provide comprehensive, coordinated assistance programme to the patients and their companions.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Care Services, Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Office of the Prime Minister
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