Geneva, May 21 (SANA) The World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean warned Thursday of a deepening health crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories, describing the destruction of the healthcare system and the mounting human toll as a “severe tragedy” amid continuing shortages of medical supplies and widespread disruption of health services.
Hanan Balkhy, the WHO’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said in a statement that more than 72,000 people have been killed and about 182,000 injured since October 2023, with an additional 26,000 deaths reported in 2025 alone.
She said humanitarian and health conditions continued to deteriorate even after the October 2025 ceasefire, as civilian casualties persisted and restrictions on humanitarian aid continued to hamper access to healthcare and essential medical supplies.
According to the WHO, no hospital in Gaza is currently operating at full capacity, while hospitals in northern Gaza have completely ceased functioning. More than half of essential medicines are out of stock, and thousands of patients remain in urgent need of medical evacuation.
The organization also warned of the spread of infectious diseases due to overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions, alongside growing mental health needs and sharply increasing risks facing mothers and newborns.
In the West Bank, the WHO said escalating violence and movement restrictions have further weakened the healthcare system, while the Palestinian Authority’s financial crisis has severely reduced medical services, leaving public hospitals able to provide emergency care only.
The WHO said its teams and partner organizations continue to operate under “extremely difficult conditions,” noting that it had appealed for $648 million to fund health response operations in 2025, but more than 75% of the requested amount remains unfunded.
The organization called on the international community to protect healthcare facilities and medical personnel, ensure unrestricted humanitarian and medical access, and support efforts to restore and expand health services across the Palestinian territories.
R.D
