GAZA: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of dire consequences if Israel goes ahead with an impending military operation in Rafah, reported German news agency (dpa).
The planned push into the southern border city of Rafah would lead to “a bloodbath”, the organisation wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
More than 1.2 million people were currently sheltering in the area, many unable to move anywhere else, the WHO said.
“A new wave of displacement would exacerbate overcrowding, further limiting access to food, water, health and sanitation services, leading to increased disease outbreaks, worsening levels of hunger, and additional loss of lives.”
Only 33 per cent of Gaza’s 36 hospitals and 30 per cent of primary healthcare centres were functional in some capacity amid repeated attacks and shortages of vital medical supplies, fuel and staff, the WHO said.
“WHO calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the removal of obstacles to the delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance into and across Gaza.” - Bernama, dpa
