UNITED STATES: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has said that WHO has lost contact with its personnel, healthcare facilities, medical professionals, and other humanitarian collaborators deployed in Gaza. He has urged for quick protection of all civilians and full access to humanitarian aid.
“We have lost touch with our staff in Gaza, with health facilities, health workers, and the rest of our humanitarian partners on the ground,” the director of WHO stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“This siege makes me gravely concerned for their safety and the immediate health risks to vulnerable patients. We urge immediate protection of all civilians and full humanitarian access,” his statement added.
Humanitarian organisations urge civilian protection
In addition to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, has stated that UNICEF is unable to communicate with its team members in Gaza.
On X, previously known as Twitter, Russell expressed her deep concern, saying, “We have lost touch with our colleagues in Gaza. I’m extremely concerned about their safety and another night of unspeakable horror for 1M children in #Gaza. All humanitarians and the children and families they serve MUST be protected.”
UN General Assembly demands for ‘Humanitarian Truce’ in Gaza
The United Nations General Assembly, on October 27, passed a nonbinding resolution that calls for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza, with the aim of ending hostilities between Israel and the ruling Hamas in Gaza.
This marked the first UN response to the unexpected attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7 and Israel’s subsequent military actions, including its commitment to destroy Hamas.
The resolution received support from 120 out of the 193 member states, while 14 countries opposed it with 45 abstentions after vetoing a Canadian amendment supported by the United States to unequivocally denounce the “terrorist attacks” by Hamas and call for the immediate release of hostages held by the militant group.
