Gaza's Health Crisis: A Generational Catastrophe, Warns WHO

Fri Oct 24 2025 22:29:57 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The World Health Organization emphasizes the dire health crisis in Gaza, urging for increased humanitarian aid and highlighting the long-term consequences of ongoing conflict, famine, and healthcare collapse.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, warns that Gaza is facing a health catastrophe which could affect generations. The combined effects of disease, injuries, and famine necessitate a significant rise in aid to restore the healthcare system. Despite a ceasefire, aid levels remain critically low, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Gaza is experiencing a health catastrophe that will last for generations to come, warns Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO). In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Dr. Tedros stressed that a massive increase in aid is essential to address the complex and overwhelming needs of Gaza's population.

Since the ceasefire with Hamas on October 10, Israel has permitted more medical supplies and other aid into Gaza; however, Dr. Tedros pointed out that the current aid levels are insufficient for rebuilding the territory's devastated healthcare system.

Accompanying this statement is a backdrop of ongoing violence. The US is working to strengthen the ceasefire, which was recently challenged by a series of attacks resulting in increased casualties.

Dr. Tedros emphasized the alarming combination of famine, widespread injuries, and the collapse of healthcare infrastructure, compounded by the restricted access to humanitarian aid. He described the situation as beyond words and fatal.

Looking ahead, Dr. Tedros expressed concerns regarding Gazans facing not just physical health challenges but also mental health issues rampant due to the crisis, leading to what he termed a generational health crisis. He urged for increased aid flows, advocating for Israeli authorities to cease linking aid delivery to overarching conflict conditions.

While recent figures indicate that over 6,700 tonnes of food have been transported into Gaza, this is significantly short of the required 2,000 tonnes per day to meet the dire needs of the population. The WHO calls for 600 daily aid lorries to ensure adequate support; currently, only 200 to 300 are passing through.

Dr. Tedros criticized the confiscation of medical supplies at borders due to alleged military potential. He called attention to the plight of Palestinians awaiting vital medical evacuations, emphasizing the importance of unrestricted access to necessary humanitarian support.

Dr. Tedros also highlighted the heavy toll the conflict has taken since October 7, 2023, noting that over 68,229 Palestinians have died due to ongoing Israeli military actions.

With the UN estimating an enormous $70 billion will be needed for Gaza's reconstruction, the need for a robust healthcare response is critical. Dr. Tedros declared: Peace is the best medicine, and emphasized the need for immediate and unencumbered aid deliveries to support the embattled population of Gaza.