WHO: “Gaza has become a death zone”

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated regarding the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, “Gaza has become a death zone.” While Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip have been ongoing for 138 days, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, made a statement regarding the latest developments in the Gaza Strip. Ghebreyesus stated that the health and humanitarian situation in Gaza is inhumane and continuing to deteriorate, saying, “Over the past three days, WHO and its partners have conducted numerous emergency missions to the Nasser Medical Complex in the south of Gaza. Approximately 111 patients and injured individuals, along with at least 15 doctors and nurses, are present in the hospital. Since the intensive care unit is no longer operational, WHO has assisted in the transfer of patients, many of whom are unable to walk.”

Emphasizing that Gaza has become a death zone when viewed from a broader perspective, Ghebreyesus said, “Much of the region has been destroyed, with more than 29,000 people dead, many more presumed missing, and many more injured. Since the start of the conflict, the severe malnutrition rate has dramatically increased from below 1% to over 15% in some areas, putting more lives at risk. This figure will continue to rise as the war continues and supplies are disrupted.” Expressing concern over the inability of the World Food Programme to deliver aid to northern Gaza, Ghebreyesus said, “What kind of world are we living in where people cannot find food and water, or where people who cannot walk are unable to receive care? What kind of world are we living in where healthcare workers are at risk of being bombed while doing their jobs? What kind of world are we living in where hospitals have to close and are targeted by military forces because there is no more power or medicine to save patients?”

Calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Ghebreyesus said, “We need a ceasefire right now. We need the release of hostages, the cessation of bombings, and unlimited access to humanitarian aid. Humanity must prevail.”