This is systemic destruction; "Please can you show mercy"

In an emotional speech at the WHO's annual assembly on Thursday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the war was hurting Israel and would not bring a permanent solution.

"You can imagine how people are suffering. It is really wrong to use food as a weapon. It is very wrong to use medical supplies as a weapon," said Ghebreyesus.

EPA-EFE/HAITHAM IMAD

Jutarnji list reminds that the United Nations started distributing aid on Thursday, and about 90 trucks have been delivered to Gaza so far.

These are the first deliveries of aid to Gaza since Israel imposed a total blockade on March 2.

Ghebreyesus stated that only a political solution can bring meaningful peace.

"The call for peace is actually in the best interest of Israel itself. I feel that the war is damaging to Israel itself and will not bring about a lasting solution," he said.

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"Please, can you show mercy. It's good for you and it's good for the Palestinians. It's good for humanity," the WHO chief said.

Systemic destruction

The executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, Mike Ryan, said 2.1 million people in Gaza were "at imminent risk of death".

"We have to stop the hunger, we have to release all the hostages and we have to get supplies and get the health system back up and running," he said, then added: "As a former hostage, I can say that all the hostages should be released. Their families are suffering."

According to WHO reports, residents of Gaza are suffering from acute shortages of food, water, medical supplies, fuel and shelter.

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Four major hospitals had to suspend medical services last week due to proximity to conflict or evacuation zones and attacks.

Only 19 of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are still operational, with staff working in "impossible conditions".

"At least 94 percent of all hospitals have been damaged or destroyed," according to UN reports, while northern Gaza is "deprived of almost all health care."

It said only 2,000 hospital beds remained available in the entire Palestinian territory - a number "grossly insufficient to meet current needs".