The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said it could not move forward with an aid mission to Gaza, citing security concerns. It was the sixth such cancellation in recent weeks.
The last such mission to Gaza took place on December 26.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general, said the UN agency canceled the mission after it failed to gain approval for a request to visit the embattled region.
“The barrier is access. We call on Israel to approve requests by WHO and other partners to deliver humanitarian aid,” he said.
Tedros also said the WHO was not given security assurances.
“Intense bombardment, restrictions on movement, fuel shortage and interrupted communications make it impossible for WHO and our partners to reach those in need,” Tedros said during a virtual press conference from Geneva.
“We call on Israel to approve requests by WHO and other partners to deliver humanitarian aid,” he added.
The WHO said only 15 of 32 hospitals in the Gaza Strip remain at least partially operable.
Source: DW
