WHO says infectious disease ‘spiraling out of control’ in Gaza
The World Health Organization says infectious diseases in Gaza are “spiraling out of control” as aid groups continue to send food and medicine into the war-torn territory. The WHO reports that only 13 of the 36 hospitals in the area are operational, with most not fully functional.
The United Nations told Agence France-Presse that controlling the disease in Gaza would be a “mammoth” effort.
“Whether meningitis … diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, we’re talking about a mammoth amount of work,” said Hanan Balkhy, regional director for the U.N.’s health body.
Since Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire agreement on Monday, the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) has brought an average of about 560 tons of food into Gaza daily. However, officials said Gaza needs more aid.
“We’re still below what we need, but we’re getting there,” a WFP spokesperson said. “The ceasefire has opened a narrow window of opportunity, and WFP is moving very quickly and swiftly to scale up food assistance.”
How long will it take to rebuild Gaza?
Balkhy said just rebuilding Gaza’s hospitals would take billions of dollars and decades of work. Most of the buildings would need to be demolished, as many are too damaged to rehabilitate.
She asserted that the war has “dismantled” Gaza’s healthcare system.
The U.N. estimates that restoring Gaza would cost at least $70 billion. Officials said the war left up to 92% of the territory destroyed.
The 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan includes agreements with international partners and organizations to help rebuild the area, including groups with experience building in the Middle East.
What’s the next step in the ceasefire?
Hamas has handed over all 20 living hostages and said it has returned all the remains of deceased hostages it could find. The organization finding the remaining bodies would require special equipment.
While the Israel Defense Forces claimed Hamas was withholding some remains, U.S. officials said many of the bodies are buried under rubble.
“It would have been almost impossible for Hamas to mobilize, even if they knew where all the 28 bodies were, to mobilize and get them home,” one adviser told CBS News.
Turkey has also offered to help Hamas find the remaining bodies. The country said it could send experts who specialize in recovering bodies following earthquakes.
The next stage of the peace plan calls for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to offer amnesty to members who do so. After that, leaders would choose a temporary transitional government to lead Gaza. An international transitional body called the “Board of Peace,” headed by Trump, will supervise this committee, although details remain sketchy.
Continued fighting between the IDF and Palestinians, and between Hamas and Palestinian gangs, has put stress on the ceasefire. Israel has also halved the aid entering the area, saying that Hamas has not kept its end of the deal regarding the return of the hostages.
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