WHO: Health Situation of Israeli Hostages in Gaza is Concerning

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, expressed concern about the health situation of Israeli hostages in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting.

He said that many of these hostages are elderly people, children, and individuals with urgent medical needs.

Ghebreyesus added that he spoke with the families of hostages last month and feels their pain, worry, and fear.

He also announced that he will meet with more hostage families in Geneva next week.

The World Health Organization warned on Wednesday, November 9, that the Gaza Strip faces the risk of contagious disease outbreaks due to Israeli airstrikes.

Israeli airstrikes have disrupted the healthcare system and access to clean water in Gaza and caused overcrowding in shelters.

Fuel shortages have also disrupted waste collection and created favorable conditions for disease spread by insects and rodents.

The World Health Organization reported that more than 33,000 cases of diarrhea have been reported in Gaza since mid-October, showing a significant increase in children under five years old compared to previous years.

The organization also warned that the risk of other infections such as cholera, measles, and rubella has increased in Gaza.

While very limited quantities of food, water, and medicine have been delivered to Gaza, Israel has not allowed fuel to enter due to concerns about possible diversion of aid to Hamas.

Hamas killed at least 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, in a terrorist attack on October 7, and abducted around 240 Israelis and foreign nationals, including children, women, and elderly people.

The United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and a number of other countries have classified Hamas on their list of terrorist organizations.

Source: Voice of America