Conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory and region

Conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory and region

Since 7 October 2023, the escalating crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory has caused large numbers of civilian deaths and injuries.  

Although the situation has improved since the announcement of a ceasefire in October 2025, the health needs remain immense while health capacities are limited. 

For the last years, hospitals have been operating far beyond capacity due to rising numbers of patients. Thousands are suffering from life-changing injuries and require long-term rehabilitation care. The provision of essential health services – from maternal and newborn care to treatment for chronic physical and mental health conditions – has been severely compromised, due to the lack of access and hostilities near hospitals. 

Attacks on health have been reported in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, killing and injuring health workers and patients, and damaging health facilities and ambulances.  

WHO continues working with partners to address the most urgent health needs, while supporting the longer-term recovery and reconstruction of Gaza’s health system.  We deliver life-saving supplies, organize external medical help, and monitor and respond to disease outbreaks. 

WHO urges all parties to respect the ongoing ceasefire, to ensure safe access to health care, and more generally to protect health.

Ultimately, WHO calls for peace. 

         

News

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Publications

19 August 2026

Global Respiratory Virus Activity: Weekly Update N° 591

7 August 2026

Cumulative number of confirmed human cases for avian influenza A(H5N1) reported to WHO, 2003-2026, 7 August 2026

7 August 2026

Influenza at the human-animal interface summary and assessment, 7 August 2026

17 August 2022

HRP Alliance at a glance 2017-2022

18 August 2026

Progress on water, sanitation, hygiene, environmental cleaning and waste management in health care facilities 2015–2025

11 August 2026

Attacks on health care dashboard - 2018

11 August 2026

Attacks on health care dashboard - 2023

11 August 2026

Attacks on health care dashboard - 2025

11 August 2026

Participatory Framework for Respectful Engagement with Indigenous Peoples on Biodiversity, Health and Traditional Knowledge Systems

12 August 2026

Global Respiratory Virus Activity: Weekly Update N° 590

15 June 2026

Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination newsletter - June 2026 edition

25 May 2026

Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination newsletter - May 2026 edition

16 February 2026

Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination newsletter - February 2026 edition

16 June 2025

Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination newsletter - June 2025 edition

16 December 2025

Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination newsletter - December 2025 edition

11 August 2026

Attacks on health care dashboard - 2024

11 August 2026

HeRAMS country implementations: Snapshot June 2026

11 August 2026

HeRAMS occupied Palestinian territory: Gaza infographics July 2026

11 August 2026

Attacks on health care dashboard - 2021

11 August 2026

Attacks on health care dashboard - 2020

       

Speeches

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18 August 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the second IHR Emergency Committee meeting on Bundibugyo virus disease epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – 18 August 2026
17 August 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the High-level cross-border consultative meeting on Bundibugyo virus disease risk – 17 August 2026
12 August 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing – 12 August 2026
28 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks on World Hepatitis Day – 28 July 2026
27 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the ceremony for the Award of the Fiocruz Honorary Doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) – 27 July 2026
27 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the International AIDS Society – 27 July 2026
22 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly on Ending AIDS by 2030 – 22 July 2026
20 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the WHO side-event on country progress towards halving road traffic deaths by 2030 – 20 July 2026
20 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the UN High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety – 20 July 2026
20 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the UN Road Safety Fund Pledging Conference – 20 July 2026
16 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing – 16 July 2026
13 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening keynote address at the Regional Health Invest Forum – 13 July 2026
6 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the Seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement – 6 July 2026
2 July 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing – 2 July 2026
24 June 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing – 24 June 2026
16 June 2026

WHO Director-General's remarks at the High-Level Virtual Meeting of African Heads of State and Government and Partners on the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak – 16 June 2026
12 June 2026

WHO Director-General's remarks at the virtual roundtable on the Ebola outbreak – 12 June 2026
5 June 2026

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the launch of the joint Bundibugyo Ebola virus continental strategic preparedness and response plan – 5 June 2026
3 June 2026

WHO Director-General's remarks at the conferment ceremony for honorary doctorate at Oslo Metropolitan University – 3 June 2026
3 June 2026

WHO Director-General's remarks at the Global Health in a Time of Uncertainty and Global Instability Conference held in conjunction with the conferment of an honorary doctorate to Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus – 3 June 2026