A World Health Organization official in Gaza has expressed deep concern about the deteriorating situation as Israeli bombings intensify in the southern enclave around Khan Younis and Rafah cities. The representative highlighted the vulnerability of the health system in southern Gaza, with an average of one child being killed every 10 minutes.
In a related development, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani called on the UN Security Council to force Israel to return to the negotiating table over the Gaza war, criticizing international inaction as “shameful.” Meanwhile, Israel anticipates difficult fighting in the new phase of its war in Gaza but is open to constructive feedback on reducing harm to civilians.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported over 270 Palestinians killed and 3,200 wounded in the occupied West Bank since October 7. UNICEF described Israeli-designated safe zones in Gaza as “tiny patches of barren land” without essential supplies, raising concerns about the risk of disease.
Israeli bombings in Khan Younis and Deir al-Belah resulted in at least 50 Palestinian casualties. Satellite images indicate the Israeli military’s ground offensive in southern Gaza, while there are reports of Israel considering flooding Gaza tunnels with seawater.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society lost contact with its medical teams in Gaza due to the Israeli cutting of telecommunications networks. The Israeli army denied telling the WHO to empty an aid warehouse in southern Gaza, refuting the claim made by WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The situation remains highly volatile, with ongoing hostilities, civilian casualties, and international calls for intervention and negotiations.
“The truth is that we didn’t ask you to evacuate the warehouses, and we also made it clear (and in writing) to the relevant #UN representatives,” the Israeli Defence Ministry body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs, COGAT, said on X, formerly Twitter.
“From a #UN official, we would expect, at least, to be more accurate,” it added.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X: “Today, WHO received notification from the Israel Defense Forces that we should remove our supplies from our medical warehouse in southern Gaza within 24 hours, as ground operations will put it beyond use”.
He further wrote, “We appeal to Israel to withdraw the order, and take every possible measure to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and humanitarian facilities.”
