LONDON

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief on Sunday expressed concern over Israel's "deeply worrying" plans to occupy Gaza City, warning that the situation in the besieged enclave is "already dire."

"Israel’s plan to expand military operations in Gaza is deeply worrying, given the already dire humanitarian and health situation across the Strip," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X.

He warned that further military escalation could put more children at risk due to malnutrition and lack of access to health care.

"We repeat our call for immediate, unimpeded and scaled-up access to food and health aid, for release of hostages, and for a permanent ceasefire," added Ghebreyesus.

On Friday, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to fully occupy Gaza City, drawing sharp international backlash from governments and human rights bodies.

Israel has been facing mounting outrage over its deadly war on Gaza, where it has killed more than 61,000 people since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.