WHO calls for immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the Gaza Strip so that vital resources can be sent to the territory amid the war between Israel and Hamas. 

“WHO remains unable to distribute fuel and essential, life-saving health supplies to major hospitals in northern Gaza due to lack of security guarantees,” the health agency wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitte. “WHO calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire so health supplies and fuel can be delivered safely throughout the Gaza Strip.”

In their lengthy statement, the health agency described how many hospitals in the territory are running low on fuel and essential health resources. It said the Turkish Friendship Hospital, the only oncology hospital in the territory, is only partially functional due to lack of fuel, leaving 2,000 cancer patients at risk.

“In addition to the hospitals that have had to close due to damage and attacks, six hospitals across the Gaza Strip have already shut down due to lack of fuel. Unless vital fuel and additional health supplies are urgently delivered into Gaza, thousands of vulnerable patients risk death or medical complications as critical services shut down due to lack of power,” the WHO said.

“These include 1000 patients dependent on dialysis, 130 premature babies who need a range of care, and patients in intensive care or requiring surgery who depend on a stable and uninterrupted supply of electricity to stay alive.”

It’s been two weeks since Hamas, which the U.S. recognizes as a terrorist organization and is the governing authority of Gaza, launched an attack on Israel that left 1,400 people dead. 

In response, Israel has launched a series of airstrikes in Gaza, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) saying it launched more than 400 strikes Monday on the territory, a slight increase from about 320 the previous day.

As a result of Israel’s airstrikes, a Hamas-run health ministry said that 5,791 residents have been killed in the attacks, and that 6,297 citizens have been injured.