GEVENA, Friday, May 10, 2024 (WAFA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) warned today that the healthcare system in the Gaza Strip is on the brink of complete collapse due to the halt in fuel flow following the closure of the Rafah and Harm Abu Salem border crossings.
Margaret Harris, spokesperson for WHO, made the remarks during the weekly press briefing at the United Nations office in Geneva, addressing the dire situation in the besieged Gaza Strip, which is currently facing a devastating Israeli onslaught.
Harris stated that the WHO has supported some health centers in Gaza, including Nasser Hospital, following Israel's ground attack on Rafah on May 6th. She emphasized that this action was carried out "as part of an emergency plan" despite the ground attack on Rafah in the southern part of the territory.
Highlighting the importance of fuel entering the Gaza Strip, Harris said, "Without fuel, everything in our hospitals will stop, and life-saving treatments will no longer be possible here."
She further added, "Without fuel, the entire healthcare system will collapse," stressing that the destruction of access to healthcare "will be catastrophic for everyone."
The Israeli occupation forces have continued to close the Karm Abu Salem commercial crossing for the sixth consecutive day and the Rafah crossing for the fourth day.
In a preliminary toll, the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Strip since October 7th has resulted in 34,900 documented Palestinian fatalities, with over 78,514 injured.
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