WHO appeals for humanitarian access to Gaza to help treat wounded

Senior World Health Organisation (WHO) officials called on Thursday for a humanitarian pause in bombardment of the Gaza Strip to allow access for aid as the health system in the besieged territory faces critical shortages.

"The closure of entry and exit points for patients and humanitarian health assistance and the severe restrictions on the entry of medical supplies is exacerbating this public health crisis," said Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO's regional director.

The organisation also issued an urgent appeal for $7m in response to the health crisis.

The funds were required to "enable a comprehensive emergency response in the next six months," it said.