The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted a worsening shortage of medical supplies in the Gaza Strip, attributing the crisis to a series of delays in the delivery of humanitarian aid through Israel. Speaking to reporters in Geneva from Jerusalem, Reinhilde Van de Weerdt, the WHO’s representative for the Palestinian territories, described the health situation in Gaza as "utterly dire" and noted that none of the territory’s hospitals are currently operating at full capacity.
According to Van de Weerdt, the process for obtaining Israeli approval for the entry of medical and other humanitarian goods has become a bottleneck, resulting in what she termed "delay after delay" for aid shipments. She warned that the volume of assistance reaching Gaza is insufficient to support any substantial rebuilding or expansion of health services, stating, "Not enough humanitarian aid is entering Gaza, and definitely not enough to allow for a meaningful expansion and restoration of health services."
The WHO’s assessment comes amid ongoing conflict that has strained Gaza’s already fragile health infrastructure. Hospitals in the enclave have reported shortages of essential items such as antibiotics, surgical equipment, and basic consumables, forcing medical staff to ration care and prioritize the most critical cases. The organization’s statement underscores that the cumulative effect of these shortages is a chronic deficit that hampers routine treatment and emergency response alike.
While the WHO did not provide specific figures on the quantity of supplies delayed or the number of patients affected, its remarks align with broader reports of a humanitarian crisis in the region. The agency emphasized that the lack of a reliable and swift approval mechanism for aid entry exacerbates the already precarious situation for civilians seeking medical attention.
International observers have called for clearer coordination between Israeli authorities and aid agencies to streamline the approval process. The WHO’s comments suggest that without such improvements, the health sector in Gaza will continue to face severe constraints, potentially leading to increased morbidity and mortality among the population.
The organization’s latest briefing adds to a series of warnings from health bodies about the impact of prolonged conflict on civilian health services. As the situation evolves, the WHO urges the international community to address the logistical hurdles that impede the flow of life‑saving medical supplies into Gaza.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/gaza-aid-delay-causes-chronic-shortage-medical-supplies-who-says.