The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that repeated delays in delivering lifesaving medicines, prosthetics and other essential medical supplies into Gaza are putting Palestinians in urgent need of care at further risk, as the war-torn enclave enters another period of worsening humanitarian and public health pressures.
WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Dr Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, stated that the problem is not simply the quantity of humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza but whether critical medical supplies arrived on time and were able to meet the needs of patients and health facilities.
“A truck full of non-priority supplies or the right supplies arriving too late doesn’t save lives. That’s the question that actually matters.”
Dr Reinhilde Van De Weerdt
Gaza’s humanitarian crisis remains acute nearly 12 months into a fragile ceasefire arrangement between Hamas fighters and Israel. Ongoing Israeli airstrikes and other military activity have continued to affect the population, while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has characterised conditions as “overwhelming” and reported significant difficulties in delivering aid.
According to the organisation, one shipment containing prosthetics and assistive devices had been rejected four times within the past six months, creating additional delays for patients already waiting for treatment.
“Every rejection means another delay for someone who has already lost a limb and is simply waiting for the chance to walk again,” Dr Van De Weerdt added.
The repeated rejection of such supplies has also highlighted concerns about Israel’s restrictions on materials classified as having potential “dual-use” applications.
Israeli authorities have restricted some items on the grounds that they could potentially be used by Hamas fighters, a policy that WHO indicated is also affecting equipment and supplies needed for civilian healthcare.
Dr Van De Weerdt called on Israeli authorities to “release the pressure on medical supplies,” arguing that essential medical items should not be treated as dual-use materials when they constitute internationally accepted equipment required to operate hospitals and clinics.
“Dual-use” restrictions have become an important point of contention in humanitarian operations in Gaza because aid organisations must navigate approval procedures before supplies can enter the territory.
While WHO reported that medicines generally move through the approval process more successfully, other categories of medical equipment face greater obstacles.
According to WHO, almost 87% of medicine shipments have been approved, while just over 1 per cent have been rejected. The situation is markedly more difficult for certain specialised medical supplies, including prosthetics and assistive devices.
The restrictions are unfolding within a wider system of limited humanitarian access. Approved aid can currently enter Gaza through Kerem Shalom, located at the southern end of the enclave, while the Rafah crossing is open for limited movement of people, including patients requiring medical treatment outside Gaza.
Several other major entry points remain closed, including Kissufim, Gate 96, Erez and Erez West.
The limited number of operational crossings has increased pressure on the humanitarian system, with aid agencies arguing that supplies should be able to enter through multiple routes rather than being concentrated through a single major crossing.
“Our ask is simple and has not changed: we need the unimpeded and predictable entry of humanitarian and health supplies into Gaza at scale. We also need a multi-crossing model so that aid isn’t forced to trickle down through a limited number of crossings.”
Dr Reinhilde Van De Weerdt
Winter Adds to Gaza’s Growing Health Crisis
The pressure on Gaza’s health system is expected to intensify as winter approaches, with humanitarian agencies warning that inadequate shelter, unsafe water, damaged sanitation systems and environmental hazards could create additional public health emergencies.
Dr Van De Weerdt disclosed that almost two million people require shelter capable of protecting them from cold weather and flooding, adding that the approach of winter makes the timely delivery of humanitarian supplies increasingly urgent.
“As winter begins, this urgency to get supplies into Gaza only deepens. Almost two million people are in need of shelter to protect against the cold and the risk of flooding, exposing people to serious health and safety risks, let alone their dignity.”
Dr Reinhilde Van De Weerdt
WHO indicated that residents are expected to face heightened risks from unsafe shelter, inadequate access to clean water, and the growing presence of rodents. Rats and other rodents can transmit infections through bites and contaminated environments, making their proliferation an additional concern in densely populated areas where sanitation systems have been disrupted.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza City is being compounded by the growing accumulation of solid waste, with OCHA raising concerns about the associated risks to public health and the environment.
Sanitation improvements remain dependent on resources that humanitarian agencies cannot consistently access, particularly heavy machinery and specialised equipment. Limited engine oil and spare parts, along with ongoing fuel requirements, have further complicated efforts to maintain waste management operations.
These constraints illustrate how Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has become interconnected across multiple sectors. Shortages of medical supplies affect hospitals, while restrictions on machinery and fuel affect sanitation. Damaged infrastructure affects access to clean water, shelter and waste management, while environmental hazards increase the risks faced by an already vulnerable population.
The problem is compounded by the presence of unexploded ordnance in areas affected by the conflict.
Mine action partners reported that they continued to face shortages of permissions and equipment needed to remove explosive hazards identified in rubble during 37 assessment missions.
The presence of unexploded ordnance creates additional risks for civilians attempting to return to damaged communities and for humanitarian workers operating in affected areas.
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