GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday that it is prepared to deliver critical aid to Gaza during the Israel-Hamas truce but emphasized the need for “systematic access” throughout the region.
Over a year of conflict between Israel and Hamas has severely damaged Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, leaving much of it in ruins before the ceasefire took effect on Sunday.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the truce, stating on social media that it brings “great hope for millions of people whose lives have been devastated by the conflict.” However, he acknowledged the enormous challenges ahead in addressing the healthcare crisis and rebuilding the region’s health system.
“Given the extent of the destruction and operational constraints, restoring Gaza’s healthcare system will be a complex and demanding task,” Tedros said.
The UN health agency expressed readiness to ramp up its response to Gaza’s critical needs but stressed the importance of removing “security obstacles hindering operations.” In a statement, the WHO emphasized the need for “conditions on the ground that ensure systematic access across Gaza, facilitate the influx of aid via all possible borders and routes, and lift restrictions on essential items.”
Before the truce, Israel maintained strict control over the aid entering Gaza, limiting both volume and content.
The WHO highlighted the enormous cost of rebuilding Gaza’s health system, estimating it would require billions of dollars. Last week, the agency placed the figure at over $10 billion.
Currently, only 18 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially operational, with nearly all facilities damaged or destroyed. Just 38 percent of primary healthcare centers remain functional, according to WHO data.
Based on figures provided by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, which the UN considers reliable, the WHO reported over 46,600 deaths and more than 110,000 injuries since the conflict began. Approximately 25 percent of those injured face life-changing disabilities and require ongoing rehabilitation.
The WHO also highlighted the urgent need for evacuation, stating that around 12,000 people need immediate treatment outside Gaza. The destruction of health infrastructure has created additional ripple effects, complicating healthcare delivery.
The agency also voiced concern over “the breakdown of public order, exacerbated by armed gangs” disrupting aid efforts in Gaza.
