The WHO canceled a mission to send medical supplies to northern Gaza owing to security concerns. WHO said it was the fourth time since Dec. 26 to cancel a mission to supply vital medical supplies to Al-Awda Hospital and the principal drug store in northern Gaza.
The WHO canceled a mission to transport medical supplies to northern Gaza on Sunday after failing to get security guarantees.
WHO said it was the fourth time since Dec. 26 to cancel a mission to supply vital medical supplies to Al-Awda Hospital and the principal drug store in northern Gaza.
“It has now been 12 days since we were last able to reach northern Gaza,” the WHO office in the OPT wrote on X.
“Heavy bombardment, movement restrictions, and interrupted communications are making it nearly impossible to deliver medical supplies regularly and safely across Gaza, particularly in the north.”
The Sunday cargo was intended to support five northern enclave hospitals, WHO stated.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was “shocked by the scale of health needs and devastation in northern Gaza.”
“Further delays will lead to more death and suffering for far too many people,” he said on X.
In separate statements, the International Rescue Committee stated its emergency medical team and the Medical Aid for Palestinians organization had to leave Gaza’s Al Aqsa Hospital due to Israel’s military activity.
The Israeli offensive began after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel has uprooted majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million people, destroyed numerous houses and civilian infrastructure, and caused severe food, water, and medication shortages.
The Gaza healthcare system is unstable. The World Health Organization’s repeated cancellation of medical supply missions to Al-Awda Hospital and the primary drug store suggests a population on the brink of a health disaster.
Four attempts, four failures: Since December 26, WHO’s pharmaceutical delivery has been hampered by insecurity. Heavy bombing, mobility restrictions, and broken communication links make reaching Gazans in need, especially in the north, practically impossible. The Sunday delivery to support five hospitals is lost in the pandemonium.
Life at stake: WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is “shocked” by northern Gaza’s healthcare crisis. Another delay in aid could cause terrible misery and death. These are the unfortunate circumstances of 2.3 million people.
Beyond WHO, the International Rescue Committee and Medical Aid for Palestinians have fled, worsening the humanitarian crisis. This pullout is due to increased Israeli military activities in the Middle East, straining essential medical facilities.
Hamas’ October strike sparked Israel’s offensive, which devastated Gaza. Homes are in ruins, water and food are short, and most of the population has been displaced, making assistance distribution difficult.
Conclusion
The WHO has canceled a mission to deliver medical supplies to Al-Awda Hospital and the principal drug store in northern Gaza for the fourth time since December 26th. Five northern enclave hospitals were to be supported by the delivery. Due to bombing, movement restrictions, and broken communications, medical supplies cannot be delivered securely across Gaza, especially in the north. Israel’s military activity has forced the International Rescue Committee and Medical Aid for Palestinians charity to leave Al Aqsa Hospital in Gaza’s Middle Area. After a Hamas attack in October, Israel launched an offensive that destroyed homes, deprived Gaza of water and food, and displaced most of the population, making humanitarian distribution difficult.
The world watched Haiti collapse and Notre Dame burn. Will we ignore Gaza’s slow-motion tragedy? We must support Gaza’s troubled people. We must also demand:
Health worker and patient safety must be ensured for humanitarian help.
Stop the violence and damage now.
Long-term solutions: We cannot let Gaza remain in crisis.
