WHO Chief Declares Gaza Health Crisis as Generational Catastrophe

Wed Oct 22 2025 12:18:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

World Health Organization's Director-General warns that the ongoing health crisis in Gaza will have long-lasting effects, calling for increased humanitarian aid and access.

Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus of the WHO cautions that Gaza's health crisis poses a catastrophic situation that will affect future generations. Despite limited aid entering the region post-ceasefire, he emphasizes that it is insufficient to rebuild the healthcare system and address the urgent needs of the population, particularly following incidents of violence disrupting aid deliveries.

Gaza is experiencing a health catastrophe that will last for generations to come, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that a massive increase in aid is needed to begin to address the complex needs of the Strip's population.

Israel has allowed more medical supplies and other aid to cross into Gaza since a ceasefire with Hamas came into effect on 10 October, but Dr Tedros said levels are below those needed to rebuild the territory's healthcare system.

His intervention comes as the US attempts to shore up the ceasefire it helped to broker following an outbreak of violence at the weekend.

The agreement has been described by the White House as the first phase of a 20-point peace plan that includes an increase to the amount of aid entering Gaza, and supplies distributed without interference from either side.

Dr Tedros welcomed the ceasefire deal but indicated that the increase in aid that followed has been smaller than expected. He highlighted the dire situation on the ground where Gazans have faced famine, overwhelming injuries, a collapsed healthcare system, and outbreaks of disease due to the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure.

He also emphasized the fatal combination of restricted access to humanitarian aid, stating, This is a very fatal combination, so that makes [the situation] catastrophic and beyond words.

Dr. Tedros added that the intersection of famine and mental health issues in Gaza signals a crisis that would persist for generations. Aid groups have reported efforts are being made to combat starvation, but significantly more assistance is necessary to address ongoing humanitarian needs.

While limited aid is entering Gaza, he noted that the delivery rates were below the necessary targets and called for assistance to reach the territory without conditions imposed by Israel.

The ongoing situation, which has already seen a significant loss of life since the military campaign began following the Hamas attacks earlier this month, continues to raise urgent questions about the overall health prospects for the population in Gaza.