Israel Requests Int’l Aid for Hospital Ships to Assist Wounded Palestinians

By Yoni Weiss

Israel has formally requested foreign nations to deploy hospital ships to aid in the treatment of injured Palestinians who are permitted to leave the war-torn Gaza Strip and travel to neighboring Egypt, as confirmed by the Israeli ambassador to Germany in an interview with Reuters.

Last week, France announced its dispatch of the naval vessel Tonnere to the eastern Mediterranean, stating its mission was to provide support to Gaza hospitals. Egypt has recently started receiving limited numbers of wounded individuals across its Gaza border.

During a Kan radio interview, Ron Prosor, Israel’s ambassador to Germany, acknowledged that Israel had indeed requested assistance from France and other European countries in sending hospital ships to receive wounded Gazans at Al-Arish, an Egyptian port in close proximity to the Gaza Strip.

Prosor mentioned that while the request has been made, the outcome remains uncertain, but discussions are ongoing. He highlighted the European inclination to extend humanitarian aid in every possible way.

An unnamed official disclosed that the Tonnere vessel is equipped with 70 hospital beds and two operating theaters, further emphasizing the humanitarian assistance being extended.

Israel has also reached out to Italy, requesting the deployment of a hospital ship, though a response from Italian authorities is still pending.