WHO calls for humanitarian pause in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza

World Health Organization WHO officials have called for a humanitarian pause in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza to allow access for aid as the health system in Palestine faces critical shortages.

WHO regional director Ahmed Al-Mandhari said at a media briefing the closure of entry and exit points for patients and humanitarian health teams and the severe restrictions on the entry of medical supplies is exacerbating this public health crisis.

Al-Mandhari said the severity of injuries is straining an already overwhelmed health system that is facing critical shortages of essential medicines and supplies while also battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO head for the West Bank and Gaza Rik Peeperkorn said a United Nations convoy to bring humanitarian aid, including 10,000 Sinopharm coronavirus vaccines, into Gaza and to bring wounded people out was ready to enter as soon as it could get access.

Since fighting began on May 10, health officials in Gaza say 230 Palestinians, including 65 children and 39 women, have been killed and more than 1,700 wounded in air and artillery bombardments.