WHO chief warns Israel's Unrwa ban could worsen Gaza's health crisis

World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned Israel's decision to cut ties with the UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), which provides essential support to Palestinian refugees.

“Let me be clear: There is simply no alternative to Unrwa,” Tedros stated, saying that the ban “will not make Israel safer” but instead risks worsening suffering in Gaza and increasing the threat of disease outbreaks.

Tedros' remarks follow Israel’s formal notice to the UN on its decision to ban the UN agency, a move recently backed by Israeli lawmakers.