Gaza is facing a “crisis” life that will last “for generations to come”, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the BBC Radio 4 program today that a significant increase in resources is needed to begin to address the complex needs of the people of the Strip.
Israel has allowed more medical supplies and other aid to cross into Gaza since the end of Hamas on October 10, but Dr. Tedros said the prices are below those for medical supplies.
His intervention comes as the US tries to put an end to the fire that fueled the trade after violence erupted over the weekend.
The agreement has been described by the White House as the first phase of a 20-point peace plan that includes an increase in the amount of aid entering Gaza, and resources that are distributed “without either side.
Dr. Tedros told this program today that he accepted the ceasefire agreement but said the next increase in aid was less than expected.
When asked about the situation on the ground, he said that Gazans were starving, “being shot”, the disease system was broken, and outbreaks of diseases were exacerbated by the destruction of water and sewage infrastructure.
He went on to say: “Moreover, [there is] Restricted access to humanitarian aid. This is a very deadly combination, so what do you do [the situation] a tragedy beyond words. “
Asked about the long-term health prospects in Gaza, he added: “If you take hunger and combine it with the mental health crisis that we see rife, then this is a situation for generations to come.”
Tom Fletcher, the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said earlier this week that aid groups were “turning the tide of hunger” but that “much is needed”.
On Tuesday, the UN’s World Food Program said Lorries carrying more than 6,700 tons of food had arrived since October 10, but that was still short of its 2,000-ton target.
Six hundred trucks a day need to reach Gaza but the average is between 200 and 300, said Dr. Tedros, as he called on the Israeli authorities to get help and a wider conflict.
People were seen collecting boxes containing aid from the world food program in central Gaza on Tuesday [Reuters]
On Sunday, Israel temporarily suspended aid deliveries after two Israeli soldiers were reportedly killed in an attack by Hamas gunmen in Gaza. Hamas said at the time it was unaware of the conflict.
Israeli soldiers responded with a series of airstrikes patrolling the field, killing scores of Palestinians.
Relief deliveries resumed the next day after nationwide pressure.
Dr Tedros said the aid should not be “abused” and called on Israel not to impose conditions on its delivery, including the return of the remains of dead hosts, which has become a key point of contention during the ceasefire.
Hamas has pledged to return the bodies but has so far only handed over 15 of the 28, saying it could not find the rest.
The live Israelis were released by Hamas last week when they swapped Palestinian prisoners and detainees for Israeli prisons.
Dr Tedros was told today: “There should be full access, there shouldn’t be any situation, especially after all the dead are sent, and a good part of the bodies are transferred. I did not expect that there would be more restrictions.”
Asked about the role that should be played by the US, Dr. Tedros said “since the US has issued a peace agreement, it is responsible for making sure that all parties respect each other” all parties respect each other “all parties respect each other” all parties respect each other “all parties respect each other”
Israel is currently working on two crossings – Kerem Shalalom in the South-East, and Karsufim in the center of Gaza – but continue to face calls from service groups on all access roads it controls to be restored.
Dr. Tedros said that “all available crossings” were needed to get sufficient aid to Gaza, and called on Israel to allow its pre-registration in this territory, “
Major aid groups have called for the number of Lorries carrying aid supplies to Gaza to increase rapidly [Reuters]
He also said that the goods intended to be used to restore Gaza’s health system were taken from the border because the Israeli authorities said they could be used in the military.
“If you are going to build a field hospital, you need canvas and pillars [for tents]”He continued.” Therefore, if the poles are removed, on the pretext that they can serve twice, you cannot have a tent. “
Thousands of Palestinians are waiting for medical evacuation flights, said Dr. Tedros, even though they may take two weeks due to religious holidays in Israel. He said 700 people had previously died while waiting for medical evacuation and called for the number of flights to rise.
Israel launched a military operation in Gaza in response to the attack on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 Hamas militants were killed and another 251 were taken hostage.
At least 68,229 have been killed in Israel’s attacks on Gaza since then, according to Hamas’s life and health statistics.
In July, a post-mortem concluded that famine had broken out in Gaza, although Israel disputed that, saying it “could have died of starvation”.
The UN has previously estimated it will cost $70bn (£52bn) to rebuild Gaza. Dr. Tedros said that about 10% of that number will have to be spent on the health system that is badly damaged.
He continued: “We have been saying for a long time that silence is the best medicine.
“The deterrent that we have is very weak and some people have died even after the fire is over because it was breached several times.
“It is very sad that many people were happy in the streets because they were very happy that there was a peace agreement. Think, [some of] Those same people died after being told the war was over. “
