The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for access to health and humanitarian assistance amid the conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory

“Over 1000 people have died and many more been injured following horrific acts of violence by Hamas on Saturday in Israel, and days of bombing by Israel in Gaza,” the WHO said  in a statement on Tuesday.

The UN agency has offered assistance to health officials in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.  

On Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who agreed to its request to facilitate the delivery of health and other humanitarian supplies from the agency to Gaza via the Rafah crossing.

WHO reported that hospitals in the Gaza Strip are running on back-up generators, with fuel likely to run out in the coming days.  Additionally, supplies pre-positioned by WHO before the escalation have been exhausted,

“The life-saving health response is now dependent on getting new supplies and fuel to health care facilities as fast as possible,” said the agency.   

As such, WHO are urgently working to procure medical supplies locally to meet demand while also preparing supplies from its hub in Dubai.  

WHO also expressed grave concern over the health and well-being of hostages seized from Israel by Hamas, calling for their safe release.