Gaza Hospital Attacks: UN Agencies Make Plea For International Action
The Regional Directors of the UN Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency (UNFPA), Children’s Agency UNICEF and Health Agency WHO, have said they were “horrified” at latest reports which indicate many have been killed including children in facilities across Gaza city and other Northern areas of the Strip.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society is reporting that the second largest hospital in Gaza, Al-Quds, is in effect out of service due to fuel shortages with the NGO saying it has only been able to make sporadic contact with the facility.
WHO said it has lost communication with its contacts at Al Shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza, where news reports quoting the Health Ministry, say that five wounded patients have died because they could not be operated on due to a lack of fuel.
Two babies in the intensive care unit there were reported to have died on Saturday, with water, food and electricity cut off.
WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concern for the safety of staff and patients caught in crossfire late on Saturday noting that Israeli tanks were reportedly surrounding Al Shifa.
The Israeli military has repeatedly denied its forces are targeting hospitals, claiming that Hamas and other militants are using the facilities as shields with their headquarters located beneath Al Shifa.
“Intense hostilities surrounding several hospitals in Northern Gaza are preventing safe access for health staff, the injured, and other patients”, said the statement released by Laila Baker of UNFPA, UNICEF Regional Director Adele Khodr, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, of WHO.
“Premature and new-born babies on life support are reportedly dying due to power, oxygen, and water cuts at Al-Shifa Hospital, while others are at risk. Staff across a number of hospitals are reporting lack of fuel, water and basic medical supplies, putting the lives of all patients at immediate risk.”
Over the past 36 days, WHO has recorded at least 137 attacks on healthcare in Gaza, resulting in 521 deaths and 686 injuries, including 16 deaths and 38 injuries of health workers, the regional directors said.
“The world cannot stand silent while hospitals which should be safe havens, are transformed into scenes of death, devastation and despair.
Attacks on medical facilities and civilians are unacceptable and are a violation of international law,” they said.
UN
