WHO: Israel has blocked the entry of 60% of medical equipment into Gaza
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The World Health Organization’s representative in Palestine, Reinhilde van der Werdt, stated that the health situation in the Gaza Strip is dire and catastrophic due to the restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation army on the entry of medical equipment and medicines.
This came during van der Werdt’s participation in a press conference held by the United Nations on Friday regarding the health and humanitarian situations in several countries experiencing conflict in the region.
De Verdet added that the ceasefire, which went into effect nearly a year ago, has not led to the entry of aid, medicine, or equipment needed to meet the population’s needs. She stressed the necessity of easing the restrictions imposed by the Israeli army, as not a single hospital is fully operational, and there is a severe and ongoing shortage of medicine.
She continued that most of the time is spent on the procedures imposed by Israel, which, according to the latest updates, take at least two and a half months to obtain an entry permit.
She explained that the permit issuance requirements change from time to time and become more complicated each time, denying any improvement in the conditions for the entry of medicines that Israel claims to be allowing.
