WHO calls for humanitarian pause in Israel-Hamas conflict

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday called for a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict to allow for access of aid and services to the Gaza Strip.

WHO Regional Director Ahmed Al-Mandhari said at a media briefing that restrictions on movement of patients, humanitarian teams and medical supplies is “exacerbating” a public health crisis in the Palestinian enclave and that the “severity of injuries is straining an already overwhelmed health system that is facing critical shortages of essential medicines and supplies while also battling the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“WHO calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to attacks that’s either directly or indirectly impacting health care in the occupied Palestinian territory. WHO also calls for the urgent facilitation of humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip to allow entry of essential medical supplies, referral of patients to facilities outside Gaza and passage of medical teams and humanitarian personnel,” Al-Mandhari said.

Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO’s head for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, said a humanitarian aid convoy that includes 10,000 Sinopharm coronavirus vaccines and could transfer injured people out of the Gaza Strip is ready to enter the enclave as soon as access is granted.

“Until there is cease-fire agreed, all parties to the conflict must agree to a humanitarian pause to ensure access into and out of Gaza,” he said.

The calls come amid fierce fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. Hamas and other armed groups have launched thousands of rockets at Israel, which has responded with a punishing bombing campaign against what it says are militant targets.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said Thursday that 230 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting, including 65 children.