World Health Organization: The Situation in the Gaza Strip is Catastrophic by All Standards

Hanan Balkhi, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean region, described the situation in the Gaza Strip as catastrophic by all accounts, after Israel’s aggression in the Strip exceeded its 200th day.

Balkhi pointed out that the entire Gaza Strip has turned into a land unsuitable for life, pointing out that more than 1.7 million people had to leave to escape the unprecedented bombardment.

Balkhi stressed that the lack of basic needs is inhumane and cannot be tolerated.She considered that the continuation of this situation signifies an increase in casualties, the approach of famine and the spread of diseases.

 “Famine is beginning to loom and this is what we are really afraid of,” Balkhi said.

Regarding the current health situation, she pointed out that “health facilities continue to be the target of repeated Israeli attacks, as the number of hospitals that have been attacked has increased to 31 hospitals”.

She called for expediting the unimpeded access of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, for a permanent ceasefire and for ensuring that the movement of aid inside Gaza is safe and fast.

Amal Farhat