WHO ‘Moving Rapidly’ with Syria Quake Relief as Sanctions Are Paused

 21 February 2023, Syria, al-Atareb: Muhammad Al-Mula, 15, sits near his destroyed house as a result of the deadly earthquake that ripped through the Turkish-Syrian border. (dpa)
21 February 2023, Syria, al-Atareb: Muhammad Al-Mula, 15, sits near his destroyed house as a result of the deadly earthquake that ripped through the Turkish-Syrian border. (dpa)
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WHO ‘Moving Rapidly’ with Syria Quake Relief as Sanctions Are Paused

 21 February 2023, Syria, al-Atareb: Muhammad Al-Mula, 15, sits near his destroyed house as a result of the deadly earthquake that ripped through the Turkish-Syrian border. (dpa)
21 February 2023, Syria, al-Atareb: Muhammad Al-Mula, 15, sits near his destroyed house as a result of the deadly earthquake that ripped through the Turkish-Syrian border. (dpa)

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday it was taking advantage of a temporary easing of sanctions against Syria designed to allow humanitarian aid to be more easily distributed in the war-torn country after deadly earthquakes.

"WHO is moving very rapidly right now together with our partners to take advantage of this pause in the sanctions," Rick Brennan, Regional Emergency Director of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, told a briefing.

"We have already started ordering equipment and supplies, and we are working with UN partners on a collective approach to take advantage of the pause."

Around 4,525 deaths have been reported in northwest Syria, according to the United Nations. The area is controlled by opposition factions at war with President Bashar al-Assad, which is complicating aid efforts.

With the devastating earthquake, there has also been a threat of the risk of infections in the opposition-held region in northwestern Syria.

WHO officials said the organization has scaled up its supply of antibiotics, painkillers, trauma supplies and non-communicable disease medicines to the country, with a key focus on the northwest region.

The agency has re-established its distribution channels within Syria, and has moved over 139 tons of additional medical supplies including antibiotics, and other surgical supplies to affected areas, said Catherine Smallwood, WHO's senior emergency officer for Europe.

WHO officials also said they are working to ensure better water and sanitation in northwest Syria, with 1.7 million doses of oral cholera vaccines on hand that they plan to target to the most vulnerable communities by first week of March.



Netanyahu’s Hard-Line Ally Welcomes Return to Fighting in Gaza 

Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. (Reuters)
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Netanyahu’s Hard-Line Ally Welcomes Return to Fighting in Gaza 

Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. (Reuters)

A key governing partner of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the return to fighting in Gaza.

Bezalel Smotrich had threatened to leave the government if fighting did not resume, which would imperil Netanyahu’s rule. Critics said those political considerations were influencing Netanyahu’s wartime decision-making.

"We remained in the government for this moment despite our opposition to the (ceasefire) deal, and we are more determined than ever to complete the task and destroy Hamas," Smotrich posted on X.

Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 326 Palestinians, including women and children, according to hospital officials. The surprise bombardment shattered a ceasefire in place since January and threatened to fully reignite the 17-month-old war.

Netanyahu ordered the strikes after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel's actions.