World Health Organization has called for increased medical evacuations from Gaza to save thousands of sick and wounded patients.

Speaking at a news conference, the head of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the UN agency wants to be able to bring out patients through Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

However, Israel said it is keeping the crossing closed until Hamas fulfills its commitments under the terms of the Gaza ceasefire deal by returning bodies of deceased hostages.