Since 7 October 2023, the escalating crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory has caused large numbers of civilian deaths and injuries.
In the Gaza Strip, airstrikes and a lack of medical supplies, food, water and fuel have virtually depleted an already under-resourced health system. Hospitals have been operating far beyond capacity due to rising numbers of patients as well as displaced civilians seeking shelter. The provision of essential health services – from maternal and newborn care to treatment for chronic conditions – has been severely compromised.
WHO appeal
WHO Operational Response Plan occupied Palestinian territory
The overall aim of this plan to is provide an emergency health response for the population that reduces mortality and morbidity during the current escalation of hostilities. The WHO operational response plan is part of and fully aligned with the overall 90 days Flash Appeal, in particular with the Health Cluster component.
Multi-Country Funding Appeal: occupied Palestinian territory and Egypt, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan
The recent escalation of hostilities in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) is taking a heavy toll on civilians. Thousands have been killed or injured, and over 1.4 million people have been displaced. There have been 171 attacks on health care in oPt leading to 493 deaths and 387 injuries, with 56 attacks impacting health facilities and 130 impacting health personnel, as of 24 October 2023. The health system is on the verge of collapse and dwindling access to health services, clean water, food and fuel on top of an already weakened healthcare system risks further loss of civilian life. Massive displacement to shelters with inadequate resources will result in disease outbreaks. The escalation of hostilities has already spread to the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Lebanon Israel border and Syrian Arab Republic, with a risk of spilling over to other countries in the region, including Jordan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Iraq.
News
WHO, KSrelief sign new agreement to support over one million people in Gaza
6 Feburary 2024
WHO and partners bring fuel to Al-Shifa, as remaining hospitals in Gaza face growing threats
23 January 2024
Lethal combination of hunger and disease to lead to more deaths in Gaza
21 December 2023
WHO delivers health supplies to Al-Shifa Hospital, appeals for continued access to address urgent needs in north Gaza
17 December 2023
WHO appeals for protection of the health system from further attacks and degradation of its capacity
4 December 2023
Joint UN mission transfers critical patients from Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, under intense fighting
24 November 2023
WHO staff member killed in Gaza
21 November 2023
WHO appalled by latest attack on Indonesian Hospital in Gaza
20 November 2023
WHO-led joint UN and Red Crescent mission evacuates 31 infants from Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza
19 November 2023
WHO leads very high-risk joint humanitarian mission to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza
18 November 2023
UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO Regional Directors call for immediate action to halt attacks on health care in Gaza
12 November 2023
WHO loses communication with contacts in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza amid reports of attacks
12 November 2023
Children with cancer evacuated from Gaza for treatment to Egypt and Jordan
10 November 2023
Attacks on health care in Gaza Strip unacceptable, says WHO
4 November 2023
Risk of disease spread soars in Gaza as health facilities, water and sanitation systems disrupted
8 November 2023
Attacks on health care in Gaza Strip unacceptable, says WHO
4 November 2023
WHO welcomes decision by Egypt to receive patients from Gaza Strip
1 November 2023
Multi-Country Funding Appeal: occupied Palestinian territory and Egypt, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan
27 October 2023
As Gaza’s health system disintegrates, WHO calls for safe passage of fuel, supplies for health facilities
24 October 2023
WHO health supplies move towards Gaza
21 October 2023
Joint statement by UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP and WHO on humanitarian supplies crossing into Gaza
21 October 2023
WHO statement on attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital and reported large-scale casualties
18 October 2023
WHO delivers medical supplies to Lebanon as violence in the occupied Palestinian territory intensifies
15 October 2023
Lifesaving WHO health supplies land in Egypt for people-in-need in Gaza
14 October 20203
Evacuation orders by Israel to hospitals in northern Gaza are a death sentence for the sick and injured
14 October 2023
WHO pleads for immediate reversal of Gaza evacuation order to protect health and reduce suffering
13 October 2023
Hospitals in the Gaza Strip at a breaking point, warns WHO
12 October 2023
WHO calls for access to health and humanitarian assistance on fourth day of conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory
10 October 2023
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Regional Director's statement
WHO Regional Director’s remarks at the regional press briefing on health emergencies
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