WHO Warns Gaza Situation “Remains Catastrophic” as Aid Delivery Falls Short
Geneva, Switzerland – The World Health Institution (WHO) warned Thursday that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip “remains catastrophic,” despite increased international attention, citing insufficient aid reaching the enclave’s population.
The WHO assessment comes amid ongoing conflict and a severe shortage of essential supplies, including medicine, food, and water. While acknowledging a recent uptick in aid deliveries,the organization emphasized that the volume remains inadequate to meet the overwhelming needs of the 2.3 million residents of Gaza.
“The situation is dire,” a WHO spokesperson stated. “The amount of aid entering Gaza is still insufficient to address the scale of the crisis. We are seeing widespread disease, malnutrition, and a collapsing healthcare system.”
The warning echoes concerns raised by other humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza, who report that access restrictions and logistical challenges continue to hamper aid efforts. The WHO specifically highlighted the urgent need for increased medical supplies and personnel to support overwhelmed hospitals and clinics.
Separately, Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich sparked controversy Thursday with remarks dismissing potential normalization agreements with Saudi Arabia contingent on the establishment of a Palestinian state.”If Saudi Arabia tells us: ‘normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state’, then no thank you, my friends,” Smotrich said at a symposium discussing the possible annexation of the West bank. He added, ”Keep riding your camels in the Saudi desert and we will continue to develop – with an economy, a society, a state and all the great and wonderful things that we know how to do.”
Smotrich’s comments drew swift condemnation from within Israel’s political opposition. Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded on X (formerly Twitter) in Arabic, stating, ”To our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Smotrich does not represent the State of israel.” He called for the minister to apologize. Former Defence Minister Benny Gantz criticized Smotrich’s remarks as “ignorance and a lack of awareness of his responsibility as a senior minister in government.”
Smotrich, a far-right minister who resides in the occupied West Bank, has long advocated for its annexation. He reiterated his position Thursday, stating, “The entity called ‘State of Israel’ is the State of Israel throughout its borders, and it will never create a Palestinian state.” His inflammatory statements often diverge from the official stance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, where he is considered one of the most radical members.
