WHO Condemns Israeli Delays of Medical Supplies to Gaza

The World Health Organization reports that medical supplies destined for Gaza face a median wait time of 74 days for clearance by Israeli authorities. WHO Representative Reinhilde Van de Weerdt stated that no hospital in Gaza is currently fully operational due to chronic shortages of medicines and equipment. While medicines have an approval rate of nearly 87%, essential medical equipment—including X-ray machines, CT scanner spare parts, and sterilization tools—is frequently rejected without explanation.

Van de Weerdt described the Israeli approval system as a bottleneck characterized by "delay after delay," warning that these hold-ups bring medicines closer to expiry and equipment closer to damage. The WHO is urging Israel to stop classifying essential medical items as "dual use" and to adopt a multi-crossing model to replace the current reliance on the Kerem Shalom crossing, where WHO teams must use armored vehicles to collect supplies under military control.

As winter approaches, the WHO and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned of heightened risks from flooding, cold, and disease outbreaks. OCHA specifically highlighted public health risks in Gaza City due to solid waste accumulation and a lack of equipment to remove unexploded ordnance. Israel maintains that it restricts items with potential military use to prevent Hamas from plotting further violence following the October 7, 2023, attacks.