The UN World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Friday that repeated delays by Israel in allowing lifesaving medicines, prosthetics, and critical supplies into Gaza risk causing devastating consequences for Palestinians who urgently need care. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains “overwhelming,” according to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA.
Approved aid can only enter the Strip through Kerem Shalom, located in the southern tip of the enclave. Furthermore, at least four other main entry points for aid remain closed: Kissufim, Gate 96, Erez, and Erez West.
Dr Reinhilde Van De Weerdt stated that a truck full of non-priority supplies or the right supplies arriving too late does not save lives. The WHO senior official stated that the need is for the unimpeded and predictable entry of humanitarian and health supplies into Gaza at scale.
The WHO official explained that as winter begins, the urgency to get supplies into Gaza deepens. In the last six months, one shipment of prosthetics and assistive devices was rejected four times.
Medicines were approved at almost 87 per cent and rejected at just over 1 per cent. Dr Van De Weerdt also claimed that essential medicines should not be considered as dual use and therefore banned by Israel on the grounds that they could be used by Hamas fighters.
Mine action partners reported that they still lack “permissions and equipment” to remove unexploded ordnance hazards identified in the rubble during 37 assessment missions.
