The people of Gaza are facing a dire situation as Israel carries out a retaliatory campaign against the Strip in response to Hamas’ terror attacks on October 7th, according to WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier. He emphasized that the situation in Gaza is unimaginable and that the area cannot afford to lose any more hospitals or ambulances. WHO has documented 212 attacks on healthcare facilities and ambulances in Gaza since October 7th.
In New York, an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the Palestine-Israel crisis is scheduled for Friday morning.
Trauma wards resembling battlefields
İçerik Tablosu
Mr. Lindmeier stated that health workers in Gaza are facing severe shortages of food and water. Patients are lying on hospital floors, bleeding, and trauma wards resemble battlefields. In a typical refugee camp, there would be a minimum of seven liters of water per person per day, but in Gaza, it is only between one and two liters. WHO convoys attempting to bring medical supplies have been stopped on the road, with desperate people trying to obtain food and water from them.
Furthermore, a convoy of medical supplies destined for Al-Ahli hospital had to be suspended on Friday due to the security situation.
Mr. Lindmeier announced that a special session of the WHO Executive Board will be held on Sunday to address the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, following a request from 15 of its 34 members.
‘So much more is needed’
On Thursday, WHO delivered trauma and emergency care supplies to the European Gaza Hospital and Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis to cover the needs of 4,500 patients. However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that much more assistance is required. He expressed concern for the thousands of patients and health workers in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire to protect them.
Humanitarian operations hindered
Limited aid distributions continue in the south of Gaza, but the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that nowhere in the area is safe. Aid distribution in Khan Younis governorate has largely ceased due to the intense hostilities. OCHA warned that tens of thousands of displaced people are being pushed further south, living in cramped spaces and hanging by a thread for survival. OCHA head Martin Griffiths stated that the Israeli military assault has severely hindered humanitarian operations in southern Gaza.
Breakdown in law and order
OCHA reported that the influx of internally displaced persons to Rafah continues and there is no empty space left for shelter, even in the streets and open areas. Thousands of people without basic essentials wait for hours at aid distribution centers, raising concerns about a breakdown in law and order.