WHO in occupied Palestinian territory

How is the conflict in the Middle East affecting health care in #Gaza? Watch👇

The conflict in the Middle East is having an impact on health care in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the availability of supplies, access to care, and evacuations. In Gaza, most crossings remain closed. Medical evacuations have been suspended since 28 February, and rotations of Emergency Medical Teams are on hold. Essential medicines and medical supplies, including antibiotics and medicines for chronic conditions, are running low. Fuel is being prioritized for the facilities that need it most in order to keep life-saving health services running. Only the Kerem Shalom crossing reopened on 3 March to allow the entry of some fuel and humanitarian aid. In the West Bank, checkpoint closures and movement restrictions are obstructing access to health care. Ambulances are taking longer to reach patients as they must use longer routes and search for accessible gates. Even before this escalation, medical supplies were in short supply and health workers were receiving only partial salaries, affecting the functioning of health facilities. WHO calls for the opening of all routes into the Gaza Strip, unimpeded movement of medical supplies and health workers across the occupied Palestinian territory, and the protection of health care. More importantly, WHO calls for immediate de-escalation in the region by all parties. The bravest choose peace. WHO flash update on the impact on health care in the occupied Palestinian territory: emro.who.int/opt/informatio…

"These are injuries you might see once in a career — in Gaza, we see them every day. Without rehabilitation and assistive devices, recovery simply stops" Episode 2 of @WHO’s podcast The Frontline Shift is now available — focusing on physical rehabilitation needs in #Gaza in the aftermath of the two-year conflict. Listen 👉 bit.ly/3N4drAs Spotify: bit.ly/4lesy7d Apple: bit.ly/4d4jK1v YouTube Music: bit.ly/4d0JrA2

.@DrTedros and @UN teams in Jordan, joined by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, visited the WHO‑supported Speciality Hospital caring for children evacuated from Gaza. The visit underscored the vital role of WHO’s medical evacuation programme and the need to sustain the Jordan humanitarian corridor as a lifeline for patients from #Gaza.

Thank you @NLinGeneva🇳🇱 for supporting Palestinian medical evacuees in Palestine, Egypt & Jordan, and showing solidarity with the health response in #Gaza. @WHO calls for the reopening of referral routes to the West Bank, incl. East Jerusalem.

Nearly 16 000 children under the age of three were vaccinated in #Gaza last month during the second round of a catch-up routine vaccination effort led by @UNICEF, @UNRWA, @WHO and partners, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. These efforts will protect children against life-threatening diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, polio, rotavirus, and pneumonia, at a time when their vulnerability has increased due to the conflict. Over 80% of children vaccinated in this round had previously received vaccines and were on track with their latest dose, while around 20% had started - but not completed - their routine vaccination schedule, underscoring the urgent need to close these gaps. During the first round in November 2025, more than 14 000 children were reached. A third and final round is planned for April. As poor water and sanitation increase the risk of outbreaks, vaccination remains children’s best protection against vaccine preventable diseases. WHO reiterates its call for the protection of civilians, sustained and unimpeded access across the Gaza Strip, and the timely entry of medical supplies.

Yesterday, @WHO and partners supported the medical evacuation of 5 patients and 7 companions to #Egypt via the #Rafah Crossing — the first medical evacuation through this route since mid-March 2025. WHO’s role focused on ensuring the safe transfer of patients from #Gaza to the Rafah Crossing. After two years of conflict, Gaza’s health system urgently needs rehabilitation and rebuilding to reduce reliance on medical evacuations. This is now the top priority. A rapid scale-up of health services is required inside Gaza, including increased medical supplies, rehabilitation of damaged facilities, and expansion of critical services to build a resilient and sustainable health system. To expedite access to life-saving care, WHO continues to call for the immediate reopening of the medical referral route to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In the short term, WHO urges more countries to demonstrate solidarity by accepting patients in need of specialized care not available in Gaza, to save lives. More than 18,500 patients in Gaza still require specialized medical care that is unavailable inside the Strip.

Earlier this week, @WHO supported the medical evacuation of another 24 patients from Gaza to #Jordan. 36 companions travelled with them. Our thanks to Jordan for its continued solidarity. Since October 2023, over 10,700 patients have been evacuated from Gaza for advanced medical treatment to over 30 countries. Still, more than 18,500 patients urgently need medical treatment evacuation. To ensure all patients have access to quality care , WHO reiterates its call to open the medical referral route to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and for more countries to step forward to provide the critical, lifesaving medical care required.

Ten children have reportedly died from hypothermia in #Gaza since the onset of winter. As cold temperatures and heavy rains intensify, children and families sheltering in poorly insulated, makeshift structures face extreme exposure, with little protection from the elements. Winter conditions, combined with severe overcrowding and inadequate water and sanitation, are increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Acute respiratory infections are rising, alongside a growing number of severe cases requiring ICU admission. @WHO continues to support health facilities with essential medicines and equipment. In addition, with support from @AFD_en and @MBRInitiatives, WHO will provide blankets, warm hats for newborns, and thermal “survival” blankets to protect patients from the cold. WHO reiterates its calls for sustained and unimpeded access across the Gaza Strip, and for the timely entry of essential medical supplies and equipment, as well as winterization and shelter materials — all of which are critical to saving lives.

On 19 Jan, @WHO supported the evacuation of 21 people from Gaza to #Jordan to receive medical treatment. 36 companions travelled with them. We thank Jordan for its solidarity and continued support. More than 18,500 people, including 4,000 children, still need to be evacuated from Gaza for treatment not available there. @WHO calls on more countries to accept these patients. WHO welcomes the recent approval for one patient from Gaza — the first since October 2023 — to travel to the West Bank following a Jerusalem District Court ruling. This is a step in the right direction and must pave the way for the reopening of the medical evacuation route to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which remains the most time and cost-effective route, with hospitals ready to receive patients.

I strongly condemn the Israeli authorities’ actions to demolish the @UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound, which remains @UN premises. The continued escalatory actions against UNRWA are unacceptable & inconsistent with Israel’s clear obligations under international law. I urge the Government of Israel to immediately cease the demolition & to return the compound & other UNRWA premises to the UN. un.org/sg/en/content/…

The 2nd round of a routine immunization catch-up campaign in #Gaza, led by @UNICEF, @UNRWA, @WHO and partners in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is taking place from 18 to 29 January 2026. This round aims to reach children under the age of three, strengthening protection against vaccine-preventable diseases following two years of conflict and disruption to #health services. Details 👉emro.who.int/opt/news/unice…

📣New @WHO podcast: The Frontline Shift This podcast examines one of the most complex emergency health responses in the world: #Gaza. Through firsthand accounts from emergency medical teams coordinated and deployed by WHO, the series revisits key moments from the two-year conflict between October 2023 and October 2025. Episode 1 explores the challenges of patient transfers and medical evacuations during the conflict. Listen 👉 emro.who.int/information-re…

Three months into the #ceasefire in #Gaza, food is more widely available and the entry of medical supplies and medicines has increased to some extent. However, extensive clearance procedures continue to cause delays, with some essential medical items classified as dual-use and denied entry. Health needs across Gaza remain severe. Widespread displacement, inadequate shelter, overcrowding, and harsh winter conditions contribute to the threat of disease outbreaks. Sustained, large-scale humanitarian access is critical to meet needs and protect lives.

Last week, @WHO supported the medical evacuation of 18 patients and 36 companions from #Gaza to #Jordan, for trauma care and treatment for cancer, gastrointestinal, renal, immunological, and other serious conditions. We thank Jordan for its continued solidarity and for welcoming patients in need of this lifesaving medical care. Since Oct 2023, more than 10 700 patients have been evacuated from Gaza for specialized treatment in over 30 countries. However, over 18 500 people, including 4000 children, still urgently need medical evacuation. WHO calls on more countries to open their doors to patients from Gaza and for evacuations to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored.

In a year of increasing health needs and constrained resources, @WHO and our many partners delivered major health achievements in 2025, and supported vulnerable communities worldwide living in difficult conditions. Vaccinating children against polio in Gaza; providing medical guidance on the use of GLP-1 for obesity, and injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention; advancing universal health coverage; helping countries eliminate diseases; and responding to almost 50 emergencies in close to 80 countries; these actions and more show how the global health community, together, are building a healthier, safer and more hopeful future for all people, everywhere. I thank all our partners – Member States and organizations dedicated to protecting and promoting health – for their collaboration and commitment to #HealthForAll. Our solidarity is the best immunity against public health threats, and to help people attain the highest level of physical and mental health possible. @gatesfoundation @gavi @eu_echo @WorldBank @EIB @Rotary @GermanyDiplo @KSAmofaEN @FCDOGovUK @CanadaFP @UNCERF @IndianDiplomacy @NorwayMFA @BloombergDotOrg @JapanGov @DutchMFA #Sweden @wellcometrust @MOFAkr_eng @dfat @mofauae @DanishMFA @francediplo_EN @dfatirl @DrSenait

The latest @theIPCinfo analysis for #Gaza confirms that no areas of the Strip are currently classified as being in famine following the recent October ceasefire and improved humanitarian and commercial access. But this welcome progress remains extremely fragile as the population continues to struggle with massive infrastructure destruction, collapsed livelihoods and local food production, and restrictions to humanitarian operations. Over 100,000 children and 37,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are still projected to suffer acute malnutrition through April next year. At the same time, only 50% of Gaza's health facilities are partially functional and they face shortages of essential supplies and equipment, which are often subject to complex entry procedures and restrictions with many classified as potentially dual-use. To scale up life-saving services and expand access to care, @WHO calls for the urgent and expedited approval and entry of essential medical supplies, equipment and prefabricated hospital structures.

Since October 2023, @WHO and partners have evacuated over 10,600 patients from Gaza with severe health conditions, including over 5600 children, each one in need of critical advanced treatment. Yet, many more patients remain in Gaza awaiting evacuation to receive appropriate health care. According to Ministry of Health, 1092 patients have died while awaiting medical evacuation between July 2024 and November 28, 2025. However, this figure is likely underreported. WHO calls on more countries to open doors to patients from Gaza, and for medical evacuation to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored. Lives depend on it.

Thank you @GermanyDiplo for the generous additional contribution of €14 million in support of @WHO’s work to repair, rehabilitated and support ongoing health services in Gaza and the West Bank.