Government of Spain completes four humanitarian operations to evacuate injured or sick Gazan children

Gazan minors evacuated by the Spanish Government

The Government of Spain has successfully completed four evacuation operations for 44 wounded or sick Gazan minors and a hundred family members, in the framework of the commitment acquired with the World Health Organization (WHO) in view of the extreme vulnerability suffered by the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
Shortages of food, water and medical care, coupled with severe difficulties in accessing humanitarian aid, place children in a particularly critical condition, putting both their lives and the continuity of their treatment at risk.

The organisation and implementation of these missions has been possible thanks to inter-ministerial coordination between the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, in collaboration with international agencies and partner countries for relocation from safe points outside the conflict zone.

"Spain has offered not only a safe transfer, but also comprehensive care to ensure that the children can continue their medical treatment and rebuild their lives in an environment of safety and dignity. This joint effort reflects our strong commitment and capacity to respond quickly and in a coordinated manner to extreme humanitarian situations," said Minister Elma Saiz.

In total, 44 sick children - some with cancers - and nearly a hundred family members have been evacuated in four operations over the last few months. These people have been assigned to different parts of Spain, guaranteeing them extraordinary visas, coverage of their basic needs, specialised medical care, among other services.

Common protocol

In all evacuation operations, the Government of Spain applies a common protocol that guarantees a rapid and coordinated response to extraordinary situations such as the one in Gaza. Firstly, the beneficiaries receive an extraordinary visa for 90 days, covered by Article 42 of the Foreigners' Regulation, which allows it to be granted in exceptional circumstances. In these cases, the visa is issued by the Spanish Consulate General in Cairo.

During these first 90 days, evacuees will be covered by a contingency fund, which will cover their basic needs for shelter, food and essential care, ensuring their reception and well-being from the moment they arrive.

After this period, people may apply for asylum and, if they do so, they will automatically become part of the International Protection Programme of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, which offers comprehensive assistance for their integration in Spain.

Situation of the four operations

• First evacuation (24/07/2024): a Spanish military plane transferred 43 people from Cairo to Torrejón, including 16 patients and 27 accompanying people belonging to 12 family units. The group, consisting of 13 adults and 30 minors, was then distributed to Asturias, the Basque Country, Navarre, Madrid and Toledo.
• Second evacuation (05/12/2024): eight people, including two patients and two accompanying people, were evacuated from Gaza to Israel and transported to Madrid-Barajas in a plane operated by the Romanian army. Its final destination was Madrid.
• Third evacuation (02/04/2025): a Slovakian plane transferred 36 people from Cairo to Zaragoza, including 13 cancer patients and 23 accompanying persons. The evacuees were subsequently sent to Asturias, the Basque Country, Navarre and Catalonia.
• Fourth evacuation (31/07/2025): from Amman to Zaragoza, 58 people were evacuated, including 14 patients (13 minors and one adult) and 44 accompanying persons. Final destinations included Asturias, the Basque Country, Navarre and Catalonia.

Spanish citizens returned from Gaza

In addition to these humanitarian actions, the Government of Spain evacuated 139 Spanish citizens and their families residing in Gaza in November and December 2023. Once in Spain, the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, through the Directorate General for Spanish Citizenship Abroad and Return Policies, activated a reception and comprehensive care service to promote their autonomy, guarantee their rights and facilitate their social inclusion.

This service, consolidated thanks to emergency declarations approved by the Council of Ministers, has already assisted 119 people (62 women and 57 men), located in resources in the Basque Country, Valencia, Andalusia, Madrid, La Rioja and Galicia.

The Government of Spain reiterates its firm commitment to the protection of the civilian population and to the care of people in situations of special vulnerability in contexts of armed conflict, reinforcing international cooperation and international reception and protection policies.

"Spain has shown that solidarity and international cooperation save lives. These operations reflect the best of our country: humanity, coordination and commitment," concluded Minister Saiz.

Non official translation