“We have been working with the Egyptian Ministry of Health on planning medical evacuations and will continue to provide support,” the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
The WHO said 81 people had managed to enter Egypt for treatment.
His comments came amid reports that the Rafah passenger terminal between Egypt and Gaza was allowed to exceptionally open on Wednesday morning for the first time since October 7, to allow the departure from the enclave of some injured Palestinians, as well as foreigners and dual refugees. to make. 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 took control of the Gaza Strip.
‘Much greater needs’
Tedros warned on social platformattention should not be diverted from the much greater needs of thousands of patients in Gazaand repeated calls for the protection of hospitals and for an “immediate acceleration” of the flow of medical aid to the Gaza Strip.
The largest convoy entered Gaza on Tuesday since aid deliveries via Rafah resumed on October 21. The convoy consisted of 59 trucks carrying water, food and medicine, the UN Coordination Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.
However, the import of fuel, “which is desperately needed to operate life-saving equipment,” remains prohibited, OCHA said.
In a statement just released via more than 1,000 people needing kidney dialysis to stay alive; more than 2,000 people need cancer therapy; 45,000 people with cardiovascular disease; and more than 60,000 people with diabetes.
‘Sustainable access’
“These patients must have sustainable access to healthcare in Gaza. Hospitals and other health facilities must be protected from bombing and military use.”
The agency said that before October 7, 2023, approximately 100 patients each day required access to specialized healthcare services outside the Gaza Strip due to the lack of needed, specialized healthcare services in Gaza.
“WHO calls for urgent, expedited access for humanitarian assistance, including fuel, water, food and medical supplies.”
UN chief António Guterres stressed on Tuesday that the amount of aid received was disproportionate to the large number of civilians trapped in the enclave amid increasing fighting.
Shelters ‘four times more than capacity’
More than 1.4 million people in Gaza are internally displaced, while more than 689,000 people are sheltered in 150 facilities of the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
OCHA said that in recent days, tens of thousands of displaced people, previously staying with host families, have moved into public shelters in search of food and basic services.
UNRWA shelters are now almost four times their intended capacity, OCHA warned.
Condition of the hostages unknown
WHO chief Tedros said in a social media post on Wednesday that the organization remains deeply concerned about the condition of the 240 hostages that Hamas took from Israel on October 7 – “especially the children, women, the elderly and people with health problems who need immediate medical attention.” He reiterated the call for their immediate release.
‘Horrible toll’ on journalists
OCHA noted that the Israeli ground operation in northern Gaza and the outskirts of Gaza City has increased in intensity, in addition to continued bombardment.
Israeli airstrikes were reported on Tuesday on the densely populated Jabaliya neighborhood north of Gaza City, home to the enclave’s largest refugee camp, home to some 116,000 people.
Responding to the issue of threats to journalists around the world, UN chief António Guterres wrote on social platform ‘defend the journalists who keep us informed’.
The UN human rights agency OHCHR expressed concern on Tuesday over reports of Palestinian journalists killed under Israeli bombardments, reiterating that journalists are civilians and should not be targeted while military personnel target them. must be held accountable.
‘This is a global crisis’: UN aid chief
The war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza has created a “global crisis” that requires international action before it spreads “far beyond the region”, the UN emergency coordinator said in a statement on Wednesday.
“This cannot continue. We need step change,” Martin Griffiths added.
We want the hostages released immediately and unconditionally. We must be able to deliver the essentials – especially water, food, medicine and fuel – safely, immediately and at scale. The more than 200 trucks that have entered Gaza so far after difficult negotiations provide some relief, but are still far from enough.”
He said pauses should be agreed as the “only viable option to get aid into Gaza at this time.”
Israel, Hamas and other militants must “respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by exercising continued care to conduct military operations to spare civilians and civilian objects.”
The international players with influence must use their diplomatic power to ensure respect for the rules of war, protect civilian life and “de-escalate the conflict and prevent a spillover.”