Gaza City: The World Health Organization (WHO) representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Rik Peeperkorn, announced that, according to initial estimates, rebuilding Gaza’s health system will require a minimum of $10 billion in the coming years. He stated during a press conference that the initial assessment for reconstructing the health sector alone estimates the costs to be over $3 billion for the first 1.5 years, and approximately $10 billion for the next five to seven years.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Rik Peeperkorn mentioned the extensive destruction in Gaza, emphasizing that he has never witnessed such devastation anywhere else in his life. He noted that the needs in the region are substantial, as conveyed to reporters on Thursday.
In addition, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted that less than half of Gaza hospitals are currently functional. He praised the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, remarking that it is a significant positive development to begin the new year. Ghebreyesus urged Israel’s cabinet to approve the ceasefire deal and called on all parties to honor and implement it, underscoring that this agreement signifies the conclusion of a particularly dark period in the history of Israeli-Palestinian relations.