WHO chief says 'more supplies' needed during Gaza humanitarian pause

GENEVA

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief on Wednesday emphasized the need for "more supplies" in Gaza, saying the amount they received during the first three days of the humanitarian pause was only enough to support 90,000 people in the blockaded enclave.

"The pause has enabled WHO to increase deliveries of medical supplies in Gaza, and to transfer patients from Al-Shifa Hospital to other hospitals south of the Wadi Gaza," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press briefing in Geneva.

The UN health agency received 121 pallets of supplies into its warehouse in Gaza, including IV fluids, medicines, laboratory supplies, medical disposables, and trauma and surgical supplies in the first three days of the pause, Tedros said.

"This is enough to support about 90,000 people. However, much more is needed," he said. "We continue to call for a sustained cease-fire so that aid can continue to be delivered to end further civilian suffering."

He also welcomed the two-day extension of the humanitarian pause and the release of hostages and prisoners by both sides.

Qatar announced an agreement late Monday to extend an initial four-day pause for two more days, under which further prisoner exchanges will be carried out.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

It has since killed over 15,000 people, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.