The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a stark warning about the “catastrophic” health impact of the three-month-long war in the Gaza Strip. Addressing an exceptional session of the organization’s executive council dedicated to examining the consequences of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, he emphasized that the conflict’s effect on health is devastating. Health care teams are performing impossible tasks under challenging conditions.
In a related context, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that he would not cease to appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, adding that the war has undermined the credibility and authority of the UN Security Council. Guterres spoke at the Doha Forum while the United States vetoed (used the veto) on Friday against a Security Council proposal for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Guterres stated, “I urged the Security Council to exert pressure to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe, and I reiterated my calls for a declaration of a humanitarian ceasefire.”
Guterres was quoted by Reuters as saying, “Unfortunately, the Security Council failed to do so, but this does not diminish the need to do so.” He continued, saying, “I will not give up.”
Philip Lazarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), added that the dehumanization of Palestinians has led the international community to tolerate ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. He emphasized, “There is undoubtedly a need for a humanitarian ceasefire if we want to put an end to the hell on the ground now in Gaza.”