The World Health Organization has suspended medical evacuations from the Gaza Strip after a contracted worker was killed in a security incident. The pause affects patient transfers via Rafah to Egypt. The move highlights worsening conditions, with over 1,700 healthcare workers reportedly killed amid ongoing conflict.

Geneva: The World Health Organisation suspended medical evacuation from Gaza after a person who was contracted to provide services to the UN agency was killed during a "security incident", said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a statement, said that WHO is "devastated to confirm" the death of the worker. He added that two WHO staff members were present at the incident site but were not injured.

"Following the incident, the WHO suspended today's medical evacuation of patients from Gaza via Rafah to Egypt. Medical evacuations will remain suspended until further notice," he said.

The incident is under investigation by the relevant authorities.