WHO Warns of Deteriorating Health Situation in Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a deterioration in the health situation in the Gaza Strip amid a chronic shortage of medicines, supplies, and medical equipment, emphasizing that the Israeli occupation’s approval system for the entry of medical supplies constitutes one of the most significant obstacles to delivering health services.

Reinhilde van der Werdt, the WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, speaking from Jerusalem at a press conference held in Geneva on Friday, stated that “large quantities of medical supplies remain awaiting approval,” noting that “the average waiting time for approval to allow a shipment of aid to enter is 74 days, or approximately two and a half months.”

She added that “the procedures required to obtain approval change regularly,” with the occupation authorities frequently adding new conditions without clear explanation, as well as tightening the requirements for medical supplies to enter the Strip.

She stressed that obtaining initial approval does not necessarily guarantee that supplies will reach their destination, as additional procedures and inspections are still required before entry into Gaza, and some shipments may still be rejected even after initial approval has been granted.

She expressed concern over the repeated refusal by the occupation authorities to allow essential equipment, including X-ray machines, sterilization equipment, and spare parts for computed tomography scanners, to enter without providing explanations.

She warned that delays in storage threaten the validity of medicines and the integrity of medical equipment before they reach patients in need, calling for the large-scale entry of humanitarian aid and health supplies into Gaza.

She also called for the provision of clear, published guidelines regarding the procedures and requirements for importing supplies, in order to reduce rejections and delays.