The World Health Organization reported on Tuesday that a patient died during repeated and lengthy Israeli checks in an emergency convoy en route to a hospital in Gaza.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced over the weekend that the UN health agency and its partners had delivered vital trauma and surgical supplies to the Al-Ahli hospital and transferred 19 critical patients.
“Due to the hold-up, one patient died en route, given the grave nature of their wounds and the delay in accessing treatment”, Ghebreyesus continued.
Tedros described it as a very high-risk mission near active shelling and artillery fire.
On Tuesday, he said the convoy was halted twice, once on the way back, and that several Palestinian Red Crescent staff were detained both times and questioned for several hours both times.
WHO Director-General went on to say, “As the mission entered Gaza City, the aid truck carrying the medical supplies and an ambulance were hit by bullets”.
Tedros emphasized that the people of Gaza have the right to health care.
“The health system must be protected. Even in war”, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added.
