World Health Organization: Health situation of Israeli hostages in Gaza is worrying

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

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

Ghebreyesus added that he had spoken to the families of the hostages last month and felt their pain, worry and fear.

He also announced that he would meet with more families of the hostages in Geneva next week.

The World Health Organization warned on Wednesday, November 9, that the Gaza Strip faces the risk of an outbreak of infectious diseases due to Israeli airstrikes.

Israeli airstrikes have disrupted the health system and access to clean water in Gaza, causing people to crowd into shelters.

Fuel shortages have also disrupted garbage collection and created a favorable environment for the spread of diseases by insects and rodents.

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

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

While very limited deliveries of food, water, and medicine have taken place in Gaza, Israel has not allowed fuel to enter due to concerns about the possible diversion of aid to Hamas.

In the terrorist attack on Israel on October 5, Hamas killed at least 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and kidnapped about 240 Israelis and foreign nationals, including children, women, and the elderly.

The United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and a number of other countries have classified Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Source: Voice of America