Romania has extended further humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza by organizing a medical evacuation effort. This initiative involved transporting 13 Palestinians who require immediate medical attention, accompanied by 34 relatives. On March 19th, this mission was executed using a C-130 Hercules plane from the Romanian Air Force. These individuals will now have access to advanced treatments unavailable in Gaza at healthcare facilities in Romania, Norway, and France.

The airplane left Otopeni Airport approximately at midday on March 19 and touched down at Israel’s Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport at 4:30 PM. Following medical assessments and passenger embarkation, the flight commenced again at 6:00 PM, reaching Bucharest's 90th Air Transport Base by about 10:00 PM.

During the entire journey, medical attention was offered by personnel from Romania’s emergency services, featuring professionals such as physicians and paramedics affiliated with UPU-SMURD and the Ministry of National Defense.

According to a statement from the Department of Emergency Situations, among those evacuated, seven patients — including six children ranging in age from four months to 11 years old, along with one 18-year-old adult — were taken to hospitals in Bucharest.

Three adult patients were transported to Norway using an additional aircraft from the Romanian Air Force, whereas three more were airlifted to France aboard airplanes supplied by Luxemburg’s authorities.

The operation was carried out in response to requests made by the European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Facebook/ Department for Emergency Situations )