WHO battles access issues in Gaza hospitals amidst conflict

In the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and escalating tensions in the Middle East, recent developments have heightened concerns over regional stability and maritime security.

According to reports from the US military, American forces conducted strikes in Yemen targeting 10 attack drones and a ground control station associated with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The strikes, carried out by the United States Central Command (Centcom), were in response to what Centcom described as an "imminent threat" posed by the drones to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region, as reported by Euronews.

Earlier, Centcom confirmed the downing of an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by the Houthis, followed by the interception of three Iranian drones. While the military did not specify the drones' intended use, the naval destroyer's actions underscored the heightened security concerns in the region.

The Houthi rebels, who have been targeting Red Sea shipping since November, stated their attacks were in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges, with the World Health Organization (WHO) expressing grave difficulties in reaching hospitals in southern Gaza.

WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized the obstacles faced by health workers and patients due to heavy fighting near hospitals in Khan Younis. Despite challenges, missions to deliver medical supplies have been undertaken, albeit with limitations on fuel and food deliveries.

In response to the escalating tensions, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the termination of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA). Netanyahu accused UNRWA members of involvement in Hamas attacks on Israel, advocating for the agency's replacement with other UN and aid organizations to address Gaza's humanitarian crisis.

As tensions persist and conflicts intensify, the international community faces mounting challenges in addressing the root causes of the Israel-Hamas conflict and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

[With information sourced from Euronews]