GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that it has received no medical supplies in the Gaza Strip for 10 days as Israel has intensified its military offensive in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic expressed grave concern over the situation, citing Israel’s closure of the Rafah crossing into Gaza as a primary cause for the dire circumstances. The closure has severely hampered the delivery of essential medical supplies, exacerbating an already challenging healthcare crisis in the region.
The last shipment of medical supplies was recorded before May 6, according to Jasarevic. The military actions by Israeli troops, including the incursion into the city of Rafah on May 7, have further escalated tensions and disrupted vital supply routes.
Of particular concern is the shortage of fuel needed to sustain operations in clinics and hospitals across Gaza. Jasarevic highlighted the staggering shortfall, noting that only a fraction of the required fuel has been allowed to enter Rafah since the border closure.
Gaza’s health facilities require approximately 1.8 million liters of fuel per month to function effectively. However, only 159,000 liters have been permitted to enter the region, posing a severe threat to the lives of countless individuals reliant on medical care.
The impact of these supply shortages is evident, with only a fraction of Gaza’s hospitals currently operational. Jasarevic emphasized the precarious situation, stating that hospitals still in operation are rapidly depleting their fuel reserves, putting lives at imminent risk.
The ongoing military operations in Rafah have further compounded the humanitarian crisis, with civilian casualties mounting.
According to data provided by the health ministry of the Hamas-run Gaza, more than 35,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 7.
