“Access to health care in Gaza is totally inadequate, while the ability of the WHO and its partners to help is constantly disrupted and hindered,” the institution denounced in a statement and highlighted that of the 36 main hospitals in the Strip, where more than two million inhabitants live, “only 10 continue to function to some extent with serious limitations.”

The agency also criticized a possible ground offensive against the city of Rafah, near the border with Egypt, because more than a million Palestinians take refuge there.

“Israel must end the systematic dismantling of healthcare in Gaza, we reiterate our calls for the protection of patients, workers in the sector, infrastructure and civilians,” it stressed, reiterating that “hospitals must not be militarized, misused or attacked.”

The WHO also demanded an effective, transparent and viable mechanism to resolve the conflict and provide security guarantees to the caravans loaded with aid that circulate in the territory, many of which become targets of attacks by the Israeli military.

“We call on Israel to reopen additional land crossings to allow safer and more direct access to Gaza,” the agency added.

The WHO once again warned of famine and the spread of disease outbreaks, calling for “unimpeded access of humanitarian aid to and through the Gaza Strip, and a lasting ceasefire.”

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