Israel’s blockade puts Gaza on brink of famine: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a dire warning that two million people are starving in the Gaza Strip, with deliberate aid blockades significantly increasing the risk of famine. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the statement during the opening of the World Health Assembly on Monday.

Tedros criticized the ongoing Israeli blockade, which began on March 2, stating that 160,000 metric tonnes of food are currently stalled at Gaza’s borders, just “minutes away” from the people in desperate need.

“Two months into the latest blockade, two million people are starving,” said Tedros. “The risk of famine in Gaza is increasing with the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid, including food, in the ongoing blockade.

The WHO chief emphasized that Gaza’s collapsing health system is unable to cope with the influx of casualties and rising preventable diseases. He pointed to growing hostilities, forced evacuations, and continued attacks on healthcare infrastructure as major obstacles to providing lifesaving treatment.

“People are dying from preventable diseases as medicines wait at the border,” he said. “Attacks on hospitals deny people care, and deter them from seeking it.”

Since November 2023, WHO has supported the evacuation of over 7,300 patients, including 617 cancer patients, from Gaza. However, more than 10,000 patients still await evacuation, most in urgent need of advanced medical care.

Tedros appealed to Israel to allow medical evacuations and to permit the entry of food and medicines, adding that the WHO and its UN partners are fully prepared to deliver aid as soon as it is allowed in.

“We ask member states to accept more patients, and we ask Israel to allow these evacuations and urgently-needed supplies.”

On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would allow limited food aid into Gaza, citing “diplomatic reasons”. However, he also reiterated Israel’s intention to “take control” of the entire Gaza Strip as the military intensifies its campaign to defeat Hamas and secure the release of hostages.

Tedros concluded his remarks with a global appeal for peace:

“I hope peace will prevail that can transcend generations. War is not the solution.”

The situation in Gaza remains critical, with the international community urging immediate humanitarian access to prevent an impending humanitarian catastrophe.