The World Health Organization (WHO) says it could not deliver medicine, fuel and food to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza despite a “serious shortage” after delays at checkpoints.
Nasser Hospital, Gaza’s largest remaining healthcare facility, has been under sustained assault from Israeli forces since the war began in October.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief said the hospital is only “minimally functioning” and facing shortages of major resources.
He said WHO and partners were able to reach the hospital and deliver essential medical supplies for 1,000 patients; however, there remain shortages of “specialized medical practitioners, medicines, oxygen, food, fuel” and “ways to dispose of solid waste.”
“The team had also planned to deliver food to the hospital, but the delivery was delayed,” he said.
According to Tedros such delays “increase the health risks” for vulnerable patients and “hamper health personnel.”
“Today, due to delays around the checkpoint, the crowds took food being delivered, and once again it did not reach Nasser. This underscores the utter desperation of people in Gaza, who live in hellish conditions, including severe hunger. We continue to seek permission to deliver the fuel to the hospital,” he added.
Mercy Corps, an aid worker, after a rare food delivery reached Northern Gaza also said she “witnessed two people suffocating to death from the overcrowding.”
“We don’t know where they were injured or even their names,” Dr Omar Abu Taha says, as Palestinians bury dozens of bodies, released by Israel, in Rafah.
The Palestine Red Crescent also says that Israeli troops have stormed al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis and are demanding doctors and displaced Palestinians evacuate.
At least 26,900 people have been killed and 65,949 wounded since the West-backed Israeli genocide was launched in Gaza on October 7.
