WHO chief warns Israel disrupting healthcare in Gaza, West Bank

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the escalating conflict in the Middle East is severely affecting healthcare across the occupied Palestinian territory.

In a statement on X, he said the conflict was impacting “the availability of supplies, access to care, and evacuations”.

He said that “most crossings remain closed” in Gaza, while “medical evacuations have been suspended since 28 February” and rotations of emergency medical teams are on hold.

Tedros added that “essential medicines and medical supplies, including antibiotics and medicines for chronic conditions, are running low”, with fuel being prioritised for facilities providing life-saving services.

In the occupied West Bank, he said checkpoint closures and movement restrictions were delaying ambulances and obstructing access to healthcare.

The WHO called for the reopening of routes into Gaza, and the “unimpeded movement of medical supplies and health workers”.