World Health Organization Chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated in a press conference that the “horrific” killing of the aid workers highlights “the extreme danger” under which humanitarians operate in Gaza.
His remarks were in response to the recent Israeli strike which resulted in the death of seven World Central Kitchen workers.
According to the United Nations, at least 196 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since October, 2023.
Israel has been widely accused of holding up aid earmarked for Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians face famine.
“WHO has been working with World Central Kitchen in Gaza to deliver food to health workers and patients in hospitals,” he noted.
He asserted that aid can only be delivered with “safe access.”
He added, “This means an effective and transparent mechanism for deconfliction must be put in place to ensure humanitarian convoys can move safely.”
Tedros also called for more entry points including in northern Gaza and stressed the importance of cleared roads and predictable and expedited passage through checkpoints.
“Delays and denials of humanitarian missions not only prevent us from reaching those in need, but also impact other operations and deliveries by diverting scarce resources.”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
In addition, the WHO Chief commented on the destruction at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City following the Israeli army’s two-week raid.
Al-Shifa was the largest hospital and main referral centre in the Gaza Strip, with 750 beds, 26 operating rooms, 32 intensive rooms, a dialysis department and a central laboratory.
He said that he is “appalled” that the facility has been put out of action and that much of it has been badly damaged or destroyed.
“Over the last few days, WHO’s team in Gaza has been seeking permission to access what is left of the hospital, to speak with staff and to see what can be saved,” Tedros added.
“But at the moment the situations looks disastrous,” he averred.
Tedros reiterated his call for hospitals in Gaza to be “respected and protected” and “not be used as battlefields”.
Tedros concluded his remarks on Gaza by noting that since the start of the war, the WHO has verified 906 attacks on healthcare in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Lebanon that resulted in 736 deaths and 1,014 injuries.
“Only 10 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are still able to function even partially. WHO will continue to support those hospitals to deliver services as best they can,” he disclosed, saying that there is currently “a very high burden” of respiratory and skin infections, among other ailments.
Mentioning that Sunday will mark six months of war, Tedros emphasized that the WHO welcomed last week’s UN Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire.
He called for its “immediate implementation.”
“Once again, we call for all hostages to be released and for lasting peace,” the WHO Chief asserted.
Israel Accused Of Terrorising Humanitarian Organisation
Hamas accused Israel of targeting aid distribution sites to “terrorise” humanitarian organisations and stop them from helping the starving people of Gaza.
“We call on the international community and UN Security Council to denounce this heinous act, and to move towards putting an end to the occupation’s crimes and aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said in a statement.
Early on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi, admitted that the deadly Israeli strike that killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen in Gaza was the result of a “misidentification in complex conditions.”
Announcing the results of a preliminary investigation, Halevi expressed remorse and called the attack a “grave mistake.”
“It was a mistake that followed a misidentification at night during a war in very complex conditions. It shouldn’t have happened,” he said.
He gave no further details.
Helvi said an independent body will conduct a “thorough investigation” that will be completed in the coming days. He added the Israeli army appreciates the “important work” of the World Central Kitchen.
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