WHO chief urges immediate application of UN resolution for Gaza cease-fire

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday welcomed a recent UN Security Council resolution calling for a full and immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, calling on all parties to take the necessary steps for the decision's immediate implementation.

Speaking at a press conference on global health issues, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus touched on the dire situation in the Palestinian territory where more than 37,200 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7 last year.

On the Security Council resolution passed on Monday, Tedros urged action on all sides for it to be implemented "immediately" to bring a permanent end to the suffering of millions.

He said that despite reports of increased food delivery to Gaza, a significant part of its population was still facing hunger and famine-like conditions, while no evidence currently showed that those who need the food aid most are receiving it in sufficient quantity and quality.

Tedros also mentioned the worsening situation in the occupied West Bank, where he said attacks on health care and restrictions on movement were obstructing access to health services.

"In most areas of the West Bank, clinics are only operating two days a week and hospitals are operating at about 70% capacity," he said, stressing that the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the region was impacting access to health services.