World Health: The situation in Gaza is catastrophic and aid is insufficient news

The World Health Organization confirmed – on Thursday – that no significant progress has been recorded in terms of the quantities of food that have been allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire, or any noticeable improvement in terms of reducing hunger in the Strip, as the situation remains “catastrophic.”

The organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told reporters, “The situation is still catastrophic, because the quantities entering Gaza are insufficient.”

He warned that “hunger has not diminished due to food shortages” since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) entered into force on October 10.

Israel cut off aid to the Gaza Strip repeatedly during the war, which exacerbated the dire humanitarian conditions, and this, according to the United Nations, caused famine in parts of the besieged Palestinian Strip.

The agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump stipulates the entry of 600 trucks daily, but the Director-General of the World Health Organization said that only between 200 and 300 trucks daily enter the Gaza Strip at the current stage.

He added that a large number of trucks currently entering Gaza are “commercial” vehicles, noting that many residents of the Strip lack the resources necessary to purchase goods, which “reduces the number of beneficiaries.”

Ghebreyesus praised the steadfastness of the ceasefire despite the violations, but warned that “the crisis is not over yet, and the needs are enormous.”

He added, “Despite the increase in the flow of aid, it still represents only a small part of the needs.”

Regarding the health situation, the Director-General of the United Nations confirmed that “there are no longer any hospitals fully in service in Gaza, and only 14 out of 36 are still working. There is a severe shortage of medicines, equipment, and basic health personnel.”

He pointed out that since the ceasefire took effect, the World Health Organization has been sending larger quantities of medical supplies to hospitals and deploying additional emergency medical teams while seeking to expand the scope of medical evacuations.

He pointed out that “the total cost of rebuilding the health system in Gaza is no less than $7 billion.”

The Director-General of the World Health Organization urged more countries to intensify their efforts to receive Gazans in need of specialized care, and called on Israel to allow “the opening of all crossings to allow more patients to be treated in Egypt.”