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Gaza faces $10Bln challenge to rebuild health system: WHO

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Jan 2025 16:20

Although mediators have stated the ceasefire is expected to begin on Sunday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged immediate action.

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Destroyed buildings by Israeli bombardments as seen inside the Gaza Strip from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 (AP Photo)

Rebuilding Gaza's health infrastructure will require at least $10 billion over the next five to seven years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Speaking on Thursday, Rik Peeperkorn, the UN health agency's representative in the Palestinian territories, described the scale of the devastation as unprecedented.

"The needs are massive," Peeperkorn said, outlining his team’s initial findings. For the health sector alone, the estimated cost could exceed $3 billion within the first 18 months and reach $10 billion in the longer term. He added, "In Gaza, we all know the destruction is so massive. I have never seen that anywhere else in my life."

The health crisis is compounded by the fact that fewer than half of Gaza's hospitals remain operational, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He welcomed the announcement of a potential ceasefire between "Israel" and Hamas as "just about the best news," expressing hope that it could mark the beginning of a new chapter for both sides.

"We welcome this news with great relief, but also with sorrow that it has come too late for those who have died in the conflict," he said.

Although mediators have stated the ceasefire is expected to begin on Sunday, Tedros urged immediate action. "If both sides are committed to a ceasefire, it should start immediately. The best medicine is peace. So, let the healing begin, not just for Gaza, but for Israel as well. This is in everyone's best interest," he said.

Gaza Recovery

The humanitarian community is pushing for a significant increase in aid to address the destruction in Gaza. Peeperkorn said that WHO is prepared to escalate its support quickly but called for the removal of political and security barriers to ensure aid can be delivered effectively.

"What is critical though is that the significant security the political obstacles to delivering aid across Gaza are removed," he said. "We need a rapid, unhindered, and safe access to expedite the flow of aid into and across Gaza."

"This agreement," Tedros noted, "marks the end of the darkest chapter in the history of the relationship between the Israelis and the Palestinians."