Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Thursday asked Israel to open more crossings and accelerate the entry and delivery of water, food, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid into and within Gaza.

Speaking at a media briefing on global health issues, Tedros said WHO is particularly concerned about military operations inside and around Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, adding that "accessing Al-Shifa is now impossible, and there are reports of health workers being arrested and detained."

"Once again, we call for health care to be protected and not militarized. Once again, we call for the release of hostages. And once again, we call for an immediate ceasefire," he said.