WHO 'extremely concerned' about thousands of patients, health care workers in Gaza

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) voiced concern Thursday about thousands of patient civilians and health care staff in the Gaza Strip and said the only way to protect them is with an immediate cease-fire.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the WHO delivered trauma and emergency care supplies Thursday to the European Gaza Hospital and Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza to meet the needs of 4,500 patients.

Noting that it was the first delivery mission since Nov. 29, the WHO chief underlined that nowhere is safe in the besieged enclave.

"We are extremely concerned about thousands of patients, and health and care workers. The only way to protect them is a ceasefire. NOW," Ghebreyesus wrote on X.

In another post, he noted that reports of minimally functioning Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza being besieged are "extremely concerning."

"There are still patients and health personnel inside the facility, who must be protected. We call for an immediate ceasefire," he added.

Israel resumed its military offensive against the Gaza Strip on Dec. 1 after the end of a weeklong humanitarian pause with the Palestinian group, Hamas.

At least 17,177 Palestinians have been killed and more than 46,000 others injured in relentless air and ground attacks on the enclave since Oct. 7 following a cross-border attack by Hamas.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stood at 1,200, according to official figures.