The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday called on Israel to lift the blockade on international aid supplies into the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, allowing access of medical supplies to ease the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Gaza Strip - May 14, 2024

Storyline:
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday called on Israel to lift the blockade on international aid supplies into the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, allowing access of medical supplies to ease the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Tedros Adhanom, head of WHO, told a press conference in Geneva that due to the blockade, approximately 700 seriously ill patients are stuck in a war zone.

He added that crossings from Egypt into Gaza have remained closed for two weeks, cutting off the primary pipeline for emergency health supplies into Gaza.

Tedros described the situation in Gaza as "beyond catastrophic," adding that intense hostilities near Gaza's hospitals have compromised their ability to provide medical care and made it harder for patients to reach.

As there are only two functional hospitals remaining in northern Gaza, the WHO chief said it is imperative to ensure their ability to deliver health services.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on Tuesday that food distribution in Gaza's southern city of Rafah is currently suspended due to lack of supplies and insecurity.

UNRWA said on social media platform X that the institute hasn't received any medical supplies in the past ten days due to the closure of the Rafah border crossing and the Kerem Shalom border crossing, resulting in only seven of its 24 health centers being operational.

Earlier, the Israeli side said that Israeli forces reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing to transport supplies, but UNRWA said that no lorries carrying aid supplies entered Gaza through the crossing on the day.

Shotlist:
Gaza Strip - April 21, 2024:
1. Various of people lining up to get food aid;
2. Various of people getting bread in bakery;
3. Bags of flour with logo of World Food Program (WFP);
4. Various of workers making bread;
5. Various of people getting bread, lining up;
Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip - May 12, 2024:
6. Various of displaced Palestinians fleeing;
Gaza Strip - May 13, 2024:
7. Ambulance moving;
8. Man carrying injured boy.
Gaza Strip - May 14, 2024:
9. Various of pedestrians, debris along street.

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