WHO Chief says 'carnage must stop' in Gaza

LONDON: The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday said "carnage must stop," in Gaza, where the Palestinian death toll has climbed to 20,000.

"I have lost count of the number of times when I thought the crisis in Gaza could not get more horrific. But it has happened again," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

He said the casualty count in the besieged enclave in just over two months is "horrific" and a "travesty for humanity."

"The horrors are endless for those trapped in what has become a Hell on earth," the WHO chief said, adding that on average around 300 people are being killed daily in the besieged enclave.

He also pointed out the dire situation of the healthcare system in the strip where only nine of Gaza's 36 hospitals are partially functioning, with none functioning in the north.

"The carnage must stop. We need a #CeasefireNOW," Tedros said.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on Oct 7 and now have killed more than 20,000 people, mostly women and children, besides causing mass displacement and destruction.

Tel Aviv has rejected growing calls for a ceasefire, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating that "we are fighting until victory" and will not stop the war until the "elimination of Hamas and releasing all of our hostages."

Egypt, along with Qatar, helped mediate a weeklong ceasefire in November in which Hamas freed over 100 hostages in exchange for Israel's release of 240 Palestinian prisoners.

-- BERNAMA