GAZA — The World Health Organization warned on October 3 that repeated delays and rejections of medical supplies entering Gaza through Israeli-controlled crossings risk devastating health consequences for Palestinians. The agency stated that life-saving medicines, prosthetics, and other essential supplies face obstacles in reaching the territory from Israel.

Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, called on Israeli authorities to release pressure on medical supplies. She stated that essential medicines should not be considered dual-use items. “A truck full of non-priority supplies or the right supplies arriving too late, doesn’t save lives. That’s the question that actually matters,” Van De Weerdt said.

The organization outlined specific demands for improving the flow of aid into the region. “Our ask is simple and has not changed: we need the unimpeded and predictable entry of humanitarian and health supplies into Gaza at scale. We also need a multi-crossing model so that aid isn’t forced to trickle down through a limited number of crossings,” she said.

Approved aid can currently enter Gaza only through the Kerem Shalom crossing at the southern tip of the territory. Four other main entry points into Gaza – Kissufim, Gate 96, Erez, and Erez West – remain closed and under total Israeli control. Erez West was previously used for the movement of goods and people but was shut down in 2023 following an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The Rafah crossing is open only for limited movement of people, including patients needing medical treatment abroad.

The World Health Organization stated that large volumes of medical supplies for Gaza face a median wait time of 74 days for Israeli clearance. Almost 87 percent of medicine shipments are approved and just over 1 percent are rejected. One shipment of prosthetics and assistive devices was rejected four times over the past six months. “Every rejection means another delay for someone who has already lost a limb and is simply waiting for the chance to walk again,” he said.

The infrastructure supporting healthcare delivery in Gaza has deteriorated. More than three-quarters of medical imaging equipment in Gaza is out of service. Only five of the 18 CT scanners in Gaza remain operational.

There are no magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services in Gaza after the destruction of nine machines. Automated clinical chemistry analysers, used for more than 60 percent of laboratory tests, have stopped operating in Gaza. All blood gas testing has been suspended at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah.

Shortages of laboratory testing materials in Gaza are at 87 percent. There is a 74 percent deficit in essential consumables required for laboratory and diagnostic testing in Gaza. Cancer patients in Gaza face shortages of chemotherapy drugs and other medicines.

The Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the only hospital in Gaza specializing in cancer treatment, has been destroyed. Overall, 350,000 patients with chronic diseases, including diabetes and high blood pressure, face medication shortages in Gaza.

Public health conditions continue to worsen as winter approaches. Almost two million people in Gaza are in need of shelter to protect against cold and flooding risks. Residents face a heightened risk of preventable disease outbreaks linked to lack of safe shelter, clean water, and rat bites, with tracking complicated by the destruction of public health laboratories.

The World Health Organization stated that the risk of preventable disease outbreaks in Gaza is heightened due to the absence of safe shelter, lack of clean water, and high number of rats. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned of serious public health risks from the accumulation of solid waste in Gaza City due to lack of access to heavy machinery, engine oil, spare parts, and fuel funding.

Timeline

Also on October 2, Dr. Van De Weerdt, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, stated that medicines move relatively well into Gaza, with almost 87 per cent approved and just over 1 per cent rejected.

On October 3, Van De Weerdt said, “Our ask is simple and has not changed: we need the unimpeded and predictable entry of humanitarian and health supplies into Gaza at scale. We also need a multi-crossing model so that aid isn’t forced to trickle down through a limited number of crossings.” Also on October 3, he said, “A truck full of non-priority supplies or the right supplies arriving too late, doesn’t save lives. That’s the question that actually matters.” On that same day, he called on Israeli authorities to release pressure on medical supplies, stating that essential medicines should not be considered dual-use items. Finally, on October 3, the World Health Organization stated that repeated delays in bringing life-saving medicines, prosthetics, and other supplies from Israel into Gaza risk having devastating consequences for Palestinians.

What's New

Later reporting provided additional context on the duration of delays and historical patterns. According to aa.com.tr, the World Health Organization stated that large volumes of medical supplies for Gaza face a median wait time of 74 days for Israeli clearance, based on a report published on October 2. In 2022, the World Health Organization issued a formal complaint to the Israeli government regarding the repeated rejection of medical supplies classified as dual-use, citing violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. In 2021, the WHO reported similar issues with delays in medical aid entering Gaza, with over 1,000 medical shipments held up at Israeli checkpoints, showing a recurring pattern of obstruction affecting healthcare access.

Additional details emerged regarding specific crossings and approval rates. Erez West, one of the crossings into Gaza that remains closed under Israeli control, was previously used for the movement of goods and people but was shut down in 2023 following an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hamas. According to nytimes.com, Dr. Van De Weerdt, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, stated that medicines move relatively well into Gaza, with almost 87 per cent approved and just over 1 per cent rejected, based on a report published on October 2.

According to nytimes.com, the World Health Organization stated that the risk of preventable disease outbreaks in Gaza is heightened due to the absence of safe shelter, lack of clean water, and high number of rats, based on a report published on October 2. According to reports, an analysis by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs found that the Kerem Shalom crossing accounted for a significant share of all aid entering Gaza, while the other operational crossings handled less than 18%, showing the heavy reliance on a single entry point.

Why It Matters

The stakes involve the immediate health survival of nearly two million people facing winter conditions without adequate shelter, clean water, or functional medical infrastructure. The destruction of public health laboratories and the suspension of critical diagnostic services, such as blood gas testing and MRI scans, complicate the tracking and treatment of preventable disease outbreaks. The shortage of chemotherapy drugs and the destruction of the only specialized cancer hospital leave thousands of patients without care, while 350,000 individuals with chronic diseases face medication shortages. The accumulation of solid waste and the presence of rats further heighten the risk of disease, creating a public health crisis that extends beyond immediate trauma care.