New drone footage released by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals the extent of building destruction and damage to hospitals in Gaza City. The images illustrate the devastating impact on Gaza’s health system, with only 13 of the 36 hospitals across the enclave remaining partially functional, according to the WHO. This has resulted in a significant shortage of operational healthcare facilities, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
The WHO reports that more than 1,700 health workers have been killed since October 2023, further straining the territory’s health system. The organization has warned that infectious diseases are “spiralling out of control” across Gaza, highlighting the need for urgent action to address the crisis. Rebuilding the territory’s health system is estimated to cost over $7 billion, according to WHO estimates.
The WHO has called for an unhindered entry of medical supplies into Gaza, a resumption of medical evacuations, and a lasting ceasefire and peace. The new footage comes as Israel and Hamas are exchanging Palestinian prisoners and the remains of Israeli hostages under their recent ceasefire agreement. Israel has freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange for the release of the hostages.
The exchange is part of a fragile truce that has paused the two-year war. Palestinians are awaiting a long-promised surge of aid into Gaza, and plans for an international force to deploy there are beginning to take shape. The WHO’s warning and the release of the drone footage underscore the need for a lasting peace and the importance of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza remains precarious, with the lack of operational healthcare facilities and the spread of infectious diseases posing a significant threat to the population. The international community is watching closely as developments unfold, with many hoping for a lasting peace and an end to the humanitarian crisis. As the situation continues to evolve, the need for a comprehensive and sustained response to the crisis in Gaza remains pressing.