GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Palestine Red Crescent have successfully resupplied two hospitals in northern Gaza, overcoming significant challenges, including repeated failed attempts and ongoing hostilities.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has confirmed the mission’s completion on Sunday after 9 attempts in the past week, highlighting that Kamal Adwan and Al-Sahaba hospitals received essential supplies, including fuel, medicines, and blood donations.
The resupply mission, which delivered 20,000 liters (5,300 gallons) of fuel to Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals, as well as 23,000 liters of fuel to Al-Sahaba Hospital, was critical for maintaining hospital operations amid power shortages. In total, the mission also delivered 800 units of blood and crucial medical supplies.
Despite the success of the mission, Tedros emphasized the difficulties faced by the humanitarian teams, including “humiliating security screenings” and detentions at Israeli checkpoints. He reiterated the WHO’s ongoing concerns about the obstacles imposed by Israeli authorities on relief operations in Gaza, calling for the “sustained facilitation of humanitarian missions” and a ceasefire to ensure the safety of humanitarian staff.
Tedros also reported that 13 critically ill patients were transferred from Kamal Adwan to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which is overwhelmed with patients, currently caring for around 60 in-patients and receiving 50-70 new casualties daily.
This resupply mission is part of a broader effort to ensure that hospitals in Gaza can continue to operate amidst the ongoing conflict, which has left many medical facilities damaged and stretched to their limits.
