WHO warns of medical supply shortages and aid delays in Gaza

WHO Gaza medical supplies humanitarian aid delays health crisis Israel aid restrictions

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning regarding chronic shortages of medical supplies in the Gaza Strip, describing the health situation as “extremely cataclysmic.” WHO Representative Reinhilde Van de Weerdt reported that none of the hospitals in Gaza are currently operating at full capacity due to insufficient humanitarian aid.

According to WHO analysis, medical supplies face significant delays, with a median waiting period of 74 days for clearance through the Israeli approval system. Van de Weerdt characterized the process as arduous and unpredictable, noting that essential equipment—including X-ray machines, sterilization tools, and CT scanner spare parts—is frequently rejected. In one instance, a shipment of prosthetics and assistive devices was reportedly rejected four times within a six-month period.

While the entry of medicines is proceeding relatively well, with an 87% approval rate and only a 1% rejection rate, the overall volume of aid remains inadequate to restore health services. Israel maintains that it restricts certain items to prevent Hamas from acquiring materials with potential military applications. The WHO has called for more crossings to be opened and for the easing of restrictions to ensure a regular and large-scale flow of life-saving supplies.

Entities

Gaza Strip · Hamas · Israel · Reinhilde Van de Weerdt · Reinhold van der Werf · World Health Organization

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] A single shipment of prosthetics and assistive devices was rejected four times within a six-month period. french.almanar.com.lb · newscentraltv.com · www.albiladpress.com · english.almanar.com.lb · sana.sy
[● 8 SOURCES] None of the hospitals in the Gaza Strip are fully operational. french.almanar.com.lb · newscentraltv.com · athina984.gr · www.proson.gr · www.real.gr · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Medical supplies awaiting clearance have a median waiting period of 74 days. french.almanar.com.lb · newscentraltv.com · athina984.gr · www.proson.gr · www.real.gr · +3 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Israel restricts the entry of items that could have military applications to prevent Hamas from using them. newscentraltv.com · athina984.gr · www.proson.gr · www.albiladpress.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Approximately 87% of medicines are approved, with only 1% being rejected. french.almanar.com.lb · www.albiladpress.com · newscentraltv.com · english.almanar.com.lb · sana.sy
[● 8 SOURCES] The health situation in the Gaza Strip remains extremely cataclysmic. french.almanar.com.lb · newscentraltv.com · athina984.gr · www.proson.gr · www.real.gr · +3 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Essential equipment such as X-ray machines, sterilization equipment, and CT scanner spare parts are regularly rejected. french.almanar.com.lb · newscentraltv.com · athina984.gr · www.proson.gr · www.real.gr · +2 more