WHO decries delays getting aid into Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the delays in delivering aid to the Gaza Strip. According to their latest analysis, medical supplies often face a median waiting time of 74 days before clearance. If clearance is not granted, the process begins anew, creating a lengthy and cumbersome procedure. Reinhilde Van de Weerdt, WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories, stated that the health situation in Gaza is dire, with none of its hospitals fully functional.

She further noted that the limited humanitarian aid entering Gaza is insufficient to restore and expand health services. Van de Weerdt criticized Israel's approval system for medical and humanitarian supplies, calling it laborious and time-consuming, with no guaranteed outcomes. She emphasized that Israel often rejects standard health kits and rejects X-ray machines, sterilization equipment, and spare parts for essential machinery regularly.

Despite these challenges, medicines have a relatively high approval rate, with 87 percent approved and only 1 percent rejected. Van de Weerdt stressed the need for unimpeded and predictable entry of humanitarian and health supplies into Gaza, calling for the opening of more crossings and clear, published guidance on the processes and requirements.

She highlighted that success cannot be measured solely by the number of trucks crossing the border, as it does not reflect whether people's actual health needs are being met. The Gaza conflict began with Hamas's 2023 attack against Israel, resulting in the death of 1,221 people according to AFP's tally based on official Israeli figures.

The subsequent Israeli offensive has left Gaza in ruins, with over 74,000 casualties, as reported by Gaza's health ministry under Hamas authority, whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.