WHO decries delays getting aid into Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed grave concern over the severe health situation in Gaza, where none of the hospitals are fully functional. In a statement released on Friday, WHO representative Reinhilde Van de Weerdt lamented the chronic shortage of medical supplies in the region. She emphasized that the health situation in the Gaza Strip remains utterly dire and that the current humanitarian aid is falling significantly short, making it impossible to meaningfully expand or restore health services.

Van de Weerdt highlighted that Israel's approval process for medical and humanitarian supplies is causing significant delays. She described the process as laborious, time-consuming, and without guaranteed results. According to the WHO's latest analysis, large volumes of medical supplies are awaiting clearance for a median of 74 days.

If the supplies are not cleared, the entire process must start anew. She pointed out that standard health kits used worldwide have the lowest approval rate, while essential items such as X-ray machines, sterilization equipment, and spare parts for CT scans are often rejected.

While medicines are moving relatively well, with almost 87 percent approved and only 1 percent rejected, this does not alleviate the severity of the situation. Van de Weerdt emphasized that every delay translates into a patient waiting and that the system is layered with delays. She called for unimpeded and predictable entry of humanitarian and health supplies into Gaza at scale and urged Israel to release the pressure on medical supplies.

Van de Weerdt also proposed opening more crossings into Gaza and implementing clear, published guidance on processes and requirements. She stressed that success should not be measured merely by the number of trucks crossing the border, as this does not reflect whether people's actual health needs are being met. The current conflict in Gaza, sparked by Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023, has resulted in extensive destruction and a massive loss of life, with over 74,000 people killed according to Gaza's health ministry.