The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed optimism that the recently announced Gaza ceasefire could significantly boost humanitarian aid deliveries, raising the daily influx to 500–600 trucks.
This follows reports that Israel’s security cabinet has approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, emphasized the urgent need for scaled-up aid deliveries, stating, “The target is to get between 500 and 600 trucks in per day over the coming weeks.” This represents a major increase from the current 40–50 trucks and is comparable to pre-war levels of aid entering Gaza before the conflict began on October 7, 2023.
Speaking from Jerusalem, Dr. Peeperkorn described the ceasefire as “a sign of hope,” but warned of the enormous challenges posed by severe shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies.
The WHO has announced plans to begin deliveries on Sunday, including temporary prefabricated clinics and hospitals, aimed at addressing urgent healthcare needs and expanding bed capacity.
Dire Humanitarian and Health Crisis in Gaza
The conflict has left Gaza in catastrophic conditions. Over 46,000 people have been killed, and more than 110,000 have been injured since October 2023, with many suffering life-altering injuries. Chronic shortages of basic necessities like food, water, and fuel, along with an overwhelmed healthcare system, have exacerbated the crisis.
Dr. Peeperkorn highlighted the severity of the health emergency:
- Disease outbreaks are spreading.
- The risk of famine remains high.
- More than 12,000 patients, including a third who are children, are awaiting evacuation for specialized care.
Between November and December 2024, only 29 of 1,200 evacuation requests were approved, representing a meager 2.4% approval rate.
Gaza’s healthcare system is in shambles, with only half of its 36 hospitals currently operational. The WHO reported 664 attacks on healthcare infrastructure since October, resulting in civilian and medical personnel casualties and widespread destruction of facilities.
WHO’s 60-Day Emergency Health Plan
The WHO aims to roll out a comprehensive 60-day emergency health response plan once the ceasefire takes effect. Key initiatives include:
- Establishing temporary medical clinics.
- Restoring essential healthcare services.
- Scaling up malnutrition treatment and disease surveillance.
- Delivering medical supplies to previously inaccessible areas.
The restoration of Gaza’s healthcare system will require more than $10 billion, according to WHO estimates. International cooperation and substantial financial support will be critical to avoid further loss of life and to stabilize the region’s health infrastructure.
Broader Humanitarian Needs
In addition to healthcare, there is a pressing need for food, clean water, shelter, and medical equipment, all of which are in critically short supply. Aid agencies are operating under challenging and dangerous conditions, but they remain hopeful that the ceasefire will provide a lifeline to Gaza’s besieged population.
The WHO and other humanitarian organizations are urging the international community to act swiftly to support Gaza’s recovery and prevent the total collapse of its healthcare and humanitarian systems.
