WHO Welcomes Gaza Ceasefire, Pledges Expanded Health Support

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, describing the development as "a big step towards lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians." In a statement issued through social media platform X, the WHO chief expressed hope that "all parties will respect the agreement" to facilitate the return of hostages and alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza.

Tedros confirmed the global health agency's preparedness to "scale up its work to meet the dire health needs of patients across Gaza, and to support rehabilitation of the destroyed health system." The announcement signals WHO's intention to expand its operational presence and medical assistance programs throughout the territory following the ceasefire implementation. The organization's intervention aims to address both immediate healthcare requirements and longer-term reconstruction of medical infrastructure.

The WHO endorsement followed US President Donald Trump's confirmation that Israel and Hamas had formally approved the initial phase of an American-proposed resolution. The agreement builds upon the 20-point framework initially presented on September 29, which includes provisions for prisoner exchanges, ceasefire implementation, Hamas disarmament, and reconstruction initiatives in Gaza. The diplomatic breakthrough emerged after extensive negotiations involving multiple international mediators.

The ceasefire arrives after months of intense conflict that have resulted in nearly 67,200 Palestinian fatalities, with women and children comprising the majority of casualties. The sustained military operations have devastated Gaza's healthcare infrastructure while creating widespread public health challenges including malnutrition outbreaks and the spread of infectious diseases. WHO's planned intervention seeks to address these compounding health crises while supporting the restoration of basic medical services throughout the territory.