The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a plea on Saturday urging Israel to immediately cease its ground assault on Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. Expressing deep concern, Tedros emphasized that the 1.2 million inhabitants of Rafah have no safe refuge amid the escalating violence.
In a statement shared on social media, Tedros stated, “I’m gravely concerned about reports of an Israeli plan to proceed with a ground assault on Rafah.” He warned that further escalation of violence in the densely populated area would result in additional casualties and increased suffering, particularly as health facilities in the region are already overwhelmed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans on Friday for an attack on Rafah, where approximately 1.5 million Palestinian refugees are seeking shelter.
The WHO, representing global health interests, appealed to Israel to refrain from conducting the military operation and instead prioritize efforts towards achieving peace “in the name of humanity.”
Tedros stressed that allowing the humanitarian crisis in Rafah to worsen would be unacceptable.
