Israel-Hamas War: WHO declares Gaza’s people to be in “grave peril”

The director of the World Health Organization issued a dire warning to the people of Gaza on Wednesday, noting widespread despair and extreme hunger throughout the Palestinian enclave devastated by conflict.

According to the WHO, 21 of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are no longer operational at all. On Tuesday, supplies were sent to two hospitals, one in the north and one in the south.

“Urgent steps to alleviate the grave peril facing the population of Gaza and jeopardize the ability of humanitarian workers to help people with terrible injuries, acute hunger, and at severe risk of disease,” demanded Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization.

The World Health Organization stated in a statement that its employees reported on Tuesday that there is a “continuing to be acute” need for food across the Gaza Strip and that “hungry people again stopped our convoys today in the hope of finding food.”

“WHO’s ability to supply medicines, medical supplies, and fuel to hospitals is being increasingly constrained by the hunger and desperation of people en route to, and within, hospitals we reach.”

According to an AFP count based on Israeli numbers, Hamas assaulted southern Israel on October 7, sparking the bloodiest-ever Gaza conflict that claimed the lives of roughly 1,140 people, the majority of whom were civilians.

In the deadliest assault in the history of the nation, they abducted 250 captives, 129 of whom, according to Israeli authorities, are still inside Gaza.

Israel began a ground assault, a siege, and a heavy aerial bombardment. According to Gaza’s health ministry, which is managed by Hamas, the campaign has killed at least 21,110 individuals, most of whom are women and children.

“The safety of our staff and continuity of operations depends on more food arriving in all of Gaza, immediately,” Tedros said.

The resolution passed by the UN Security Council last week demanded the “safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale” but did not demand that hostilities stop right now.

According to Tedros, the resolution “seemed to provide hope of an improvement in the distribution of humanitarian aid within Gaza.”

Sadly, the resolution has sadly not yet had an effect, according to WHO eyewitness reports from the scene.

“A ceasefire is desperately needed right now to protect civilians from more violence and to start the long road towards peace and reconstruction.”