WHO Regional Director Describes Situation In Occupied Palestinian Territories As 'Profound Tragedy'

Amman, May 21 (Petra) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean on Thursday described the destruction of health services and loss of human life in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, as a "profound tragedy." In a statement issued during the World Health Assembly, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Hanan Balkhy said, "Since October 2023, more than 72,000 people have been killed and 182,000 injured," adding that "in 2025 alone, nearly 26,000 additional deaths were reported." Balkhy said that even after the October 2025 ceasefire, civilians continued to die, health services remained disrupted, and humanitarian access remained constrained.

She stressed that Gaza's health sector is facing catastrophic conditions, saying, "Today, no hospital in Gaza is fully functional. In the north, none are functioning at all," while more than half of essential medicines are out of stock and thousands of patients still require urgent medical evacuation.

She added that infectious diseases continue to spread in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, while "mental health needs are overwhelming" and "maternal and neonatal risks are rising sharply." Regarding the West Bank, Balkhy said escalating violence and movement restrictions continue to aggravate the humanitarian situation, noting that the Palestinian Authority's financial crisis has severely limited healthcare services, with public hospitals operating on an emergency-only basis.

Balkhy said WHO and its partners continue to operate under "extraordinarily difficult conditions," noting that the organization appealed for $648 million to fund the 2025 health response, while more than 75 percent of the appeal remains unfunded.

Despite these challenges, she said WHO facilitated the delivery of more than 4,000 metric tons of emergency medical supplies into Gaza and supported fuel deliveries that helped keep the health system operational. In the West Bank, the organization continued expanding trauma and emergency care services.

"But humanitarian operations cannot be sustained on political statements alone," Balkhy said, calling for the protection of healthcare facilities, sustained humanitarian access, the removal of restrictions delaying essential medical supplies and emergency medical teams, and continued international support to restore and expand health services.

She also called for reopening referral routes from the West Bank and stressed that "Palestinians need more than expressions of concern. They need protection, access, recovery, and peace." //Petra// AJ

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