WHO chief says cease-fire in Gaza 'long overdue'

LONDON

A cease-fire in Gaza "is long overdue," the chief of World Health Organization said on Thursday, highlighting the staggering human toll exacted by the conflict that began last October.

Listing the numbers as a result of Israeli attacks on the blockaded enclave since the Oct. 7 cross-border offensive by Hamas, Tedros said as many as 26,000 people have died, 70% of them women and children, while 8,000 are missing, 64,000 injured and 1.7 million displaced.

He said the sick are not getting services, and outbreaks and hunger are spreading as the "health system on its knees."

"The solution exists. It's only the will that is required. Let's choose peace," the head of the UN health agency said.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far rejected proposals to end the war in Gaza, which is now in its fourth month.

The International Court of Justice will announce its highly anticipated verdict on South Africa’s request for an interim ruling in its genocide case against Israel on Friday.