UN health agency chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed
Egypt’s decision on Wednesday to accept some of the most
critically sick and injured from the stricken Gaza Strip for
treatment.
“We have been working with Egypt’s Health Ministry on planning
for medical evacuations and will continue to support,” said the
World Health Organization (WHO) head.
His comments came amid reports that the Rafah passenger terminal
between Egypt and Gaza had been allowed to opened on an
exceptional basis Wednesday morning for the first time since 7
October, to allow the departure from the enclave of some wounded
Palestinians as well as foreigners and dual nationals.
The Rafah crossing is the only entry point not controlled by
Israel, which imposed a blockade on the enclave in 2007 after
Hamas militants seized control of the Gaza Strip.
‘Far greater needs’
Tedros warned on social platform X that “attention must
not be diverted from the far greater needs of thousands of
patients in Gaza” and reiterated calls for the
protection of hospitals as well as an “immediate acceleration” in
the flow of medical aid into the Strip.
Tuesday saw the entry into Gaza of the largest convoy since
delivery of aid via Rafah resumed on 21 October, composed of 59
trucks carrying water, food and medicines, according to the UN
humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA).
However, the entry of fuel, “desperately needed to operate
life-saving equipment”, remains banned, OCHA said.
In a statement just released via X, WHO said those in serious
need within Gaza include thousands of seriously injured civilians
(many of them children); more than 1,000 people who need kidney
dialysis to stay alive; more than 2,000 needing cancer therapy;
45,000 people with cardiovascular diseases; and more than 60,000
people with diabetes.
'Sustained access'
"These patients must be able to have sustained access to health
care inside Gaza. Hospitals and other health facilities must be
protected from bombardment and military use."
The agency said before 7 October 2023, around 100 patients each
day needed to access specialized health care services outside the
Gaza Strip because of the lack of needed, specialized health
services inside Gaza.
"WHO calls for urgent, accelerated access for humanitarian aid,
including fuel, water, food and medical supplies".
UN chief António Guterres stressed on Tuesday that the volume of
aid entering was not commensurate with the sheer number of
civilians trapped in the enclave amidst the intensifying
fighting.
Shelters ‘four times over capacity’
More than 1.4 million people in Gaza are internally displaced
with over 689,000 sheltering in 150 facilities of the UN agency
for Palestine refugees (UNRWA).
OCHA said that in recent days, tens of thousands of displaced
people, who were previously staying with host families, have
relocated into public shelters, seeking food and basic services.
The UNRWA shelters are now nearly four times over their intended
capacity, OCHA warned.
Condition of hostages unknown
WHO chief Tedros said on Wednesday in a social media post that
the agency continues to be gravely concerned about the condition
of the 240 hostages taken from Israel by Hamas on 7 October -
“particularly the children, women, older people and those with
health conditions who need immediate medical attention”. He
reiterated calls for their immediate release.
‘Horrific toll’ on journalists
OCHA noted that the Israeli ground operation in northern Gaza and
the outskirts of Gaza city has been gaining in intensity,
alongside continuing bombardments.
Israeli airstrikes were reported on Tuesday on the densely
populated Jabaliya neighbourhood north of Gaza City on Tuesday,
which hosts the enclave’s largest refugee camp, home to some
116,000 people.
Addressing the issue of threats to journalists worldwide, UN
chief António Guterres wrote on social platform X on Wednesday
that the conflict in the Middle East is taking a “horrific toll”
on them and called for better safeguards to “defend the
journalists who are keeping us informed”.
UN human rights office OHCHR expressed
concern on Tuesday about reports of Palestinian
journalists killed under Israeli bombardment and reiterated that
journalists are civilians and should not be targeted, while
military personnel targeting them, must be held to
account.
