Despite overwhelming destruction and limited resources, hospitals in Gaza are slowly resuming operations. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, described this as “a source of joy” despite the immense health crisis following over 15 months of Israeli aggression.

In northern Gaza, only one hospital, Al-Awda, is partially operational, while others, including Kamal Adwan and the Indonesian Hospital, remain non-functional. WHO is working with local partners to rehabilitate medical facilities in Jabalia and expand services at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

In Rafah, the devastation mirrors that of Jabalia, with its three main hospitals completely out of service. WHO plans to establish emergency medical points as residents return.

Medical evacuations remain critically slow, with fewer than 50 patients leaving Gaza daily, despite an urgent need for at least 12,000 evacuations, including 5,000 children. WHO is calling for additional medical corridors, particularly the restoration of traditional referral routes to the West Bank and Jerusalem.