The recent ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza have been welcomed by the United Nations health agency. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that the health challenges facing Gaza are immense in the aftermath of the conflict.
Israel's 15-month military campaign in Gaza has left devastating impacts on the region. Neighborhoods have been pulverized, food, water, and fuel supplies depleted, and health care infrastructure decimated. As a result, only half of Gaza's 36 hospitals are partially operational, with nearly all hospitals suffering damage or destruction. Additionally, just 38% of primary health care centers are currently functional.
WHO has expressed concerns that the official count of Palestinians killed and wounded may be significantly lower than the actual numbers. An estimated 30,000 individuals have sustained injuries requiring ongoing rehabilitation, which is largely unavailable in Gaza.
The transmission of infectious diseases has surged, malnutrition rates are on the rise, and the risk of famine looms large. The breakdown of public order, exacerbated by armed gangs, further compounds the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In response to these challenges, WHO has announced a 60-day plan to restore and expand the health system in Gaza. The agency will collaborate with partners to implement initiatives such as expanding infant and young child feeding programs, enhancing immunization efforts, and strengthening disease surveillance systems for timely prevention and outbreak management.
WHO has called on all parties involved to uphold their commitment to fully implement the ceasefire agreement and to continue working towards a political solution to address the protracted crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory. A lasting peace in the region is deemed essential for the well-being of the population.
