WHO head urges Israel to halt planned assault on Rafah

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a public appeal to Israel, urging the country to refrain from launching an assault on Rafah, where a significant portion of Gaza's population seeks refuge.

Expressing grave concern over reports of Israel's intention to proceed with a ground assault, Tedros emphasized the potential for further escalation of violence and the resultant loss of lives and suffering in the densely populated area.

"In the name of humanity, we appeal to Israel not to proceed and instead to work towards peace," Tedros urged in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter. He underscored the impracticality of the evacuation plan proposed by the Israeli army, pointing out that the residents of Rafah lack safe alternatives and access to functional health facilities elsewhere in Gaza.

Highlighting the vulnerability of the population, Tedros emphasized, "Many people are too fragile, hungry, and sick to be moved again... This humanitarian catastrophe must not be allowed to worsen."

He wrote: "I am gravely concerned about the reports of an Israeli plan to proceed with a ground assault on Rafah. Further escalation of violence in this densely populated area would lead to many more deaths and suffering, especially with health facilities already overwhelmed."

He added, " The 1.2 million people in Rafah do not have anywhere safe to move to. There are no fully functional, safe health facilities that they can reach elsewhere in Gaza. Many people are too fragile, hungry, and sick to be moved again."

He further appealed, "In the name of humanity, we appeal to Israel not to proceed and instead and work towards peace. This humanitarian catastrophe must not be allowed to worsen."

The WHO's plea comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the military's "plans for action in Rafah," although details and a timeline were not provided in the statement issued on Friday. The United Nations and the United States have also cautioned against a potential military operation in the region.

After the Hamas attack on October 7, in response, Israel has launched relentless bombardments and a ground invasion, resulting in casualties in Gaza, with at least 31,553 people reported killed, the majority being women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry.