UN Health Agency Urges Israel to Allow Medical Supplies into Gaz

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Israel to let it stockpile essential medical supplies in Gaza to address a worsening health crisis before Israeli forces take control of Gaza City.

Israel’s military recently announced plans to "take control" of Gaza City, a move approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet that has drawn widespread international concern.

Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the Palestinian territories, said on Tuesday from Jerusalem that the health situation in Gaza is “catastrophic.” He explained that despite promises of more humanitarian aid, supplies are still arriving too slowly or not at all.

“More than half of essential medicines are completely out of stock,” Peeperkorn said. “We want to quickly stock up hospitals, especially with news of the planned military incursion, but currently, we can’t.”

He added that only about half of Gaza’s hospitals and less than 40% of primary health care centers are functioning—and even those only partially.

Hospitals are overwhelmed: Al-Shifa Hospital’s beds are filled to 240% capacity, and Al-Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza is at 300% capacity.

The ongoing crisis has also led to severe hunger and malnutrition. The WHO reported that 148 people have died from malnutrition this year, with nearly 12,000 children under five suffering from acute malnutrition in July alone—the highest monthly figure recorded.

Among these children, over 2,500 face severe acute malnutrition, and dozens are hospitalized in stabilisation centers.

Peeperkorn stressed the urgent need for Israel to ease restrictions and allow all necessary medical supplies to enter Gaza immediately to help save lives.