Capitals: Europe and the Arabs
The World Health Organization has warned that the health system in the Gaza Strip is on the verge of collapse, and time is running out to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe if fuel and life-saving health and humanitarian supplies are not urgently delivered to the Strip.
The organization said, in a press statement, that electricity is available in hospitals for only a few hours each day, as they are forced to ration their dwindling fuel stocks and rely on generators to continue their necessary tasks.
The organization warned that even these missions will stop within a few days as fuel stocks run out. She said the resulting effects would be devastating for the most vulnerable patients, including the wounded needing life-saving surgeries, patients in intensive care units, and newborns in incubators.
As the number of injured and dead continues to increase due to the aerial bombardment on the Gaza Strip, the crisis is exacerbated by the acute shortage of medical supplies, which limits the ability of hospitals - which are operating beyond their capacity - to respond to treating the sick and wounded.
The situation is also seriously disrupting the provision of essential health services, including care related to childbirth and noncommunicable diseases such as cancer and heart disease, as health facilities are forced to prioritize life-saving emergency care, the World Health Organization said.
The World Health Organization has documented 34 attacks on health care in Gaza since Saturday, killing 11 health workers, wounding 16, and damaging 19 health facilities and 20 ambulances.
The UN organization said: “Without the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, especially health services, medical supplies, food, clean water, fuel and non-food items, partners in the field of humanitarian work will not be able to respond to the urgent needs of those in dire need of relief.”
The organization added, "Every passing hour puts more lives at risk."
The World Health Organization called for an end to hostilities and to protect health care and civilians from attacks. It also called for the immediate establishment of a humanitarian corridor to ensure unhindered access to medical and humanitarian supplies as well as personnel working in this field, and the evacuation of the sick and wounded.
She renewed her call to respect and protect medical care. She said she was ready to immediately send medical supplies from the humanitarian center in Dubai, and work with partners to ensure they are able to reach the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing.
Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said that he asked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to help transport medical supplies through the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border with Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in the French city of Lyon, the UN official stressed the need to establish a corridor to support the provision of medical services in Gaza.
He expressed his deep concern and sympathy for all the families who lost their loved ones in both Israel and Palestine.
Dr. Tedros stressed the need to provide support to those who need it, and provide protection to those who need it in light of the ongoing conflict.
The UN official referred to his visit to Cairo and his meeting with Egyptian President Sisi, who said he agreed to help transport medical supplies through the Rafah crossing to help the Palestinians in Gaza.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization called for protecting civilians and providing them with the support they need, whether it is medical services, food, or any other supplies.