Israel, Denmark to explore evacuation of Gaza patients

Israel and Denmark plan to establish a joint team to explore new ways to evacuate patients from the Gaza Strip, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said at a press conference on Sunday with his Danish counterpart Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Jerusalem.

“I hope that we can work something out which is doable and actually have some real impact,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen criticised Israel’s previous approach to the issue: “It would, of course, have been much easier if you would allow transport of the patients from Gaza to East Jerusalem, but I can’t force you to do that, even though it could save many lives.”

Denmark has also offered support in treating Gaza patients in the West Bank. Saar explained that there were security concerns regarding the issue. However, he said that an evacuation of patients from the Gaza Strip to other countries, such as Arab states, was possible.

Rasmussen stressed the strong relations between Israel and Denmark over the years. He expressed understanding for Israel’s right to self-defence following the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others abducted.

He said it was the worst attack on a Jewish community since World War II.