WHO Chief Urges Rafah Reopening as Gaza Aid Falls Short

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stern warning that humanitarian aid entering Gaza remains only a "fraction of what's needed," despite the current US-brokered ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urgently called for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, where substantial aid shipments are currently stuck.

The crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, severely restricting transfers and slowing patient evacuations to a trickle.

Tedros also estimated that rebuilding Gaza's damaged healthcare infrastructure could cost at least $7 billion.

While the food situation has shown a slight improvement during the ceasefire, the WHO noted that over 600,000 people are still facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, highlighting that significantly more effort is required to reverse the crisis. Palestinian health authorities estimate casualties in the conflict exceed 67,000 people.