WHO: A Severe Health Crisis Strikes Palestine

Ramallah (ANTARA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) for the Eastern Mediterranean Region described the destruction of health services and human life in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as a horrific tragedy. In a statement published on Thursday (21 May), Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said that since October 2023 more than 72,000 people had died and 182,000 were injured. ‘By 2025 alone, nearly 26,000 new deaths have been reported,’ Balkhy said. She disclosed that after the ceasefire in October 2025, killings of civilians continued, health services were still disrupted, and humanitarian access remained limited. Currently, she said, no hospital in Gaza was functioning at full capacity and no hospital was operating in northern Gaza. Additionally, more than half of essential medicines stocks had run out, while thousands of patients still required urgent medical evacuation. Regarding the West Bank, WHO confirmed the situation continued to deteriorate due to rising violence and restricted access. The financial crisis facing the Palestinian authorities also severely limited health services, with general hospitals only providing emergency services. WHO, together with partners, continues to work under extremely difficult conditions. WHO has also requested a budget of USD 648 million to fund health in 2025, but has so far received only 75 percent of that amount. In addition, WHO continues to expand emergency care and treatment for the injured. Balkhy stressed that political statements alone are not enough to sustain humanitarian operations. She called for protection of health services, continued delivery of humanitarian aid, and the removal of restrictions hindering the supply of essential medical equipment and emergency medical teams. Balkhy also urged international support to restore and expand health services, reduce reliance on medical evacuation, and reopen referral pathways from the West Bank.