The World Health Organization (WHO) today called for a humanitarian truce in Gaza Strip, in order to allow the entry of aid in light of the severe suffering and acute shortage of medical supplies incurred by the health system in the enclave. Cairo-based WHO's regional director for the Middle East Ahmed Al-Mandhari, said in a press statement, that the closure of entry and exit points against patients and humanitarian health assistance as well as strict restrictions on the entry of medical supplies exacerbate this public health crisis, stressing the severity of injuries and severe shortage of medicines and basic supplies amidst the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. For his part, WHO head for the West Bank and Gaza Rik Peeperkorn said that a United Nations convoy carrying humanitarian aid, including 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm anti-COVID-19 vaccine, is ready to enter Gaza as soon as it is given permission. In order to be allowed to enter, he added, everyone must agree to a humanitarian truce to ensure free and easy access into and out of Gaza.
