WHO: A Massive Health Crisis in Palestine

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) for the Eastern Mediterranean Region described the destruction of health services and human life in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, as a terrible tragedy.

WHO Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region Dr. Hanan Balkhy said that since October 2023, more than 72,000 people have died and another 182,000 have been injured.

"In 2025 alone, almost 26,000 new deaths have been reported," Balkhy said, quoted by ANTARA from WAFA, Friday, May 22.

He revealed that after the ceasefire in October 2025, the killing of civilians continued, health services were still disrupted, and humanitarian access was still limited.

Currently, he continued, there is no fully functioning hospital in Gaza. There is not a single hospital operating in northern Gaza.

In addition, more than half of the stock of essential medicines is gone, while thousands of patients are still waiting for urgent medical evacuation.

Infectious diseases continue to spread amid population density and deteriorating health conditions. The need for mental health facilities is also very large, while the risk for mothers and newborns increases sharply.

Regarding the West Bank, WHO confirmed that the situation continued to deteriorate due to increased violence and restrictions on access.

The financial crisis facing the Palestinian authorities has also severely limited health services, with public hospitals providing only emergency services.

WHO together with partners continue to work in a very difficult condition. WHO has also submitted a budget of 648 million US dollars (about Rp. 11.4 trillion) to fund health in 2025, but so far it has only received 75 percent of that amount.

Despite these challenges, the WHO has provided support by sending more than 4,000 metric tons of emergency medical supplies to Gaza, as well as facilitating the delivery of fuel so that the health system there remains functional.

In addition, WHO continues to expand emergency care and treatment for injured victims.

Balkhymenegaskan pernyataan politik saja tidak cukup untuk mempertahankan operasi kemanusiaan.

He urged efforts to protect health services, the continued distribution of humanitarian aid, and the lifting of restrictions that hinder the supply of essential medical supplies and emergency medical teams.

Balkhy also asked for international support to restore and expand health services, reduce dependence on medical evacuations, and reopen referral lines from the West Bank.