Ceasefire Is the Only Way to Avert Famine in Gaza, Says WHO Spokesperson

A ceasefire is the only viable path to preventing a looming famine in the Gaza Strip, according to Dr. Margaret Harris, spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO). 

According to Alqahera News, Dr. Harris warned that the limited flow of aid into the besieged enclave is dangerously insufficient to address the growing humanitarian crisis.

Dr. Harris pointed to Israeli reports claiming that only nine trucks are being allowed into Gaza each day — totaling no more than 30 per week — a figure she described as “a deeply troubling indicator” amid widespread warnings of an impending famine and deepening humanitarian catastrophe.

“These numbers raise serious questions that should be directed to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is responsible for negotiating humanitarian access with the Israeli authorities,” she said.

Despite the severe access restrictions, Dr. Harris emphasized that humanitarian aid, including food supplies and medical equipment, is ready and waiting. “More than 3,000 tons of aid are currently on standby, awaiting clearance to enter Gaza,” she revealed, calling for greater cooperation to facilitate safe and timely deliveries.

She stressed that allowing this aid into the territory would be a “very positive step” and that the WHO is fully prepared to carry out emergency relief operations once clearance is granted.

The WHO official also painted a bleak picture of Gaza’s crumbling healthcare system. “Less than half of Gaza’s hospitals remain operational, and even those are only partially functioning under severe constraints,” Dr. Harris noted.

Key facilities like the European Hospital and the Indonesian Hospital have been forced out of service following direct strikes, leaving a critical void in medical care and highlighting the urgent need to restore essential health services.

Reflecting on past developments, Dr. Harris cited the temporary ceasefire in March, which facilitated the delivery of vital supplies and eased suffering for civilians. She concluded by reiterating: “A ceasefire is not just a political necessity — it is a humanitarian imperative.”