The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed alarming statistics following a year of intense conflict in Gaza, with more than 6% of the population either killed or injured.
Idyl Sabyrbekov, Head of the WHO Emergency Health Team in the occupied Palestinian territories, shared that at least 10,000 people remain trapped under rubble, reflecting the ongoing devastation in the region.
In a briefing held in Geneva, Sabyrbekov outlined the severe impact the conflict has had on Gaza’s healthcare system. Approximately half of Gaza’s hospitals are only partially operational, while only 43% of primary healthcare centers remain functional.
The conflict has also claimed the lives of around 1,000 healthcare workers, delivering a significant blow to the already overstretched medical services.
The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by the lasting injuries suffered by residents. More than 24,000 individuals are reported to have sustained life-altering injuries, many of whom lack access to rehabilitation or specialized care.
This ongoing health emergency is compounded by rising malnutrition rates, with over 20,000 children being treated for malnutrition since January.
The WHO has requested permission from Israeli authorities to initiate a second polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, starting from October 14.
The organization hopes for the implementation of brief tactical ceasefires to allow health workers to conduct the campaign, as was done during the first round of vaccinations.
Ongoing negotiations with Israeli officials are set to continue, with a meeting scheduled to discuss the next steps.
Meanwhile, the head of Doctors Without Borders, Isabelle Defourny, emphasized the dire need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, warning that life has become “impossible” for its residents. Upon her return from the region, Defourny described the grim reality for the more than two million people now displaced and living in dire conditions.
As colder weather approaches, the lack of sufficient shelter is expected to worsen the situation. She criticized the current level of aid, stating that it is inadequate to address the severity of the crisis.
