WHO Warns of Health Risks in Gaza as Aid Delays Persist Ahead of Winter

Delays in transporting essential medical supplies and equipment into Gaza risk causing severe consequences for Palestinians in need, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Friday. The agency called for a massive influx of humanitarian aid and the opening of additional border crossings ahead of the upcoming winter season.

According to the UN aid coordination office (OCHA), the humanitarian situation across the enclave remains overwhelming nearly 12 months into a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas fighters, which has been marked by ongoing Israeli airstrikes and military activity. Currently, approved humanitarian aid is restricted to entering through the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south, while the Rafah crossing is open only for limited movement of individuals, including patients seeking treatment abroad. Other entry points—including Kissufim, Gate 96, Erez, and Erez West—remain closed.

Dr. Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, called on Israeli authorities to ease restrictions on medical shipments and urged that essential medicines not be classified as "dual use" items. While almost 87 percent of standard medicine shipments have been approved, specialized equipment faces steep hurdles. The agency noted that one shipment of prosthetics and assistive devices was rejected four times over the past six months.

WHO officials emphasized that a multi-crossing approach is necessary to ensure the predictable, scaled entry of health supplies. Currently, aid agencies coordinate with Israeli authorities but face persistent obstacles due to a lack of reliable and timely access.

Humanitarian conditions are expected to worsen as temperatures drop. Approximately two million people in Gaza require shelter from the cold and flood risks, leaving them vulnerable to preventable disease outbreaks. Health risks are further compounded by a shortage of clean water, rat infestations, and the destruction of public health laboratories, which hinders the detection of potential epidemics.

Additionally, OCHA warned of public health hazards from accumulating solid waste in Gaza City, noting that sanitation improvements are hampered by restrictions on heavy machinery, spare parts, and engine oil. Mine action partners also reported that they lack the necessary permissions and equipment to clear unexploded ordnance identified across dozens of assessment missions.

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