Background on Key Figures and Relevance
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning that the healthcare system in Gaza is on the verge of collapse due to ongoing intensified military operations by Israel. This situation is exacerbated by mass population displacement and severe shortages of essential goods.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, has appealed to Israel for “leniency” in the conflict, emphasizing that peace would ultimately benefit Israel itself. His plea stems from his personal experience growing up during times of war in Ethiopia.
Current Situation and Impact
Four major hospitals in Gaza have had to suspend medical services over the past week due to their proximity to military incidents. WHO missions attempting to reach Al-Awda Hospital and Indonesian Hospital have faced obstacles, as reported by the organization.
Currently, only 19 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza remain operational. At least 94% of all hospitals are either damaged or destroyed, with only 12 capable of providing various health services. This dire situation has led WHO to state that the lack of food and medical supplies should not be weaponized.
Humanitarian Efforts
The United Nations (UN) has commenced aid distribution using 90 trucks that have entered Gaza, marking the first delivery of assistance since March 2 when Israel imposed a complete blockade.
WHO Director’s Plea for Peace
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that a political solution is the only path to lasting peace, asserting that war harms both Israel and Palestinians alike.
Michael Ryan, WHO’s head of emergencies, reported that approximately 2.1 million people in Gaza are at “imminent risk of death.” He also highlighted that 94% of hospitals in the Gaza Strip are damaged or destroyed, leaving northern Gaza with almost no medical care.
With only 2,000 hospital beds available across the Palestinian territory, WHO has deemed this number “completely insufficient” to meet current needs.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current state of Gaza’s healthcare system? The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse, with 94% of hospitals either damaged or destroyed. Only 12 hospitals remain capable of providing essential services.
- Why is the WHO issuing this warning? The WHO is warning about the dire situation in Gaza’s healthcare system due to ongoing military operations by Israel, mass population displacement, and severe shortages of essential goods.
- What humanitarian efforts are being made? The UN has started distributing aid using 90 trucks entering Gaza, which is the first delivery of assistance since Israel’s blockade on March 2.
- What is the WHO’s stance on using scarce resources as weapons? The WHO believes it is wrong to weaponize the lack of food and medical supplies, further exacerbating the crisis.
- What is the WHO Director’s message for achieving peace? Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasizes that a political solution is necessary for lasting peace, stating that war only harms both Israelis and Palestinians.
