WHO chief says situation in Gaza 'spiraling out of control'

LONDON

The situation in the Gaza Strip is becoming uncontrollable, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), said on Wednesday, stressing the need to stop violence.

"The situation in Gaza is spiraling out of control. Every second we wait to get medical aid in, we lose lives," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X.

Saying that WHO supplies are stuck at the border for four days, he stressed the importance of "immediate access" to start delivering life-saving supplies.

"We need violence on all sides to stop," Tedros said.

More than 500 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on Tuesday, according to Palestinian officials in the besieged enclave. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the air raid.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Amid worldwide condemnation, UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.