Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasising the need to protect civilians and healthcare workers.
In a tweet on the platform “X,” Ghebreyesus expressed his deep concern for the safety of civilians and patients in Deir al-Balah following recent reports of Israeli airstrikes on areas where many displaced people have sought refuge.
The Gaza Strip, a small region on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the most densely populated territories in the world.
It has been a significant flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with tensions frequently escalating into violence.
The area has faced numerous military operations and blockades over the years, significantly affecting its infrastructure, including healthcare facilities.
Calls for ceasefires and international intervention are common, especially during periods of heightened conflict, as the civilian population faces severe humanitarian challenges.
During a session at the United Nations Security Council, Abbas Kadhim Obaid, the Acting Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the UN in New York, called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced on Saturday that 199 of its staff members have been killed and hundreds injured since the Israeli offensive began in Gaza on October 7, 2023.
In a press release, UNRWA stated that most of its facilities have been subjected to Israeli bombings. Despite this, 1,100 of its workers continue to provide services to displaced persons sheltered in various centres, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.
The agency highlighted that a critical shortage of fuel is severely hindering the efforts of medical and environmental teams, as well as impeding the operation of food preparation centres.
UNRWA noted that 1.9 million displaced individuals are enduring harsh conditions, especially with ongoing displacement activities across all regions of the Gaza Strip.
