UN agencies issued an urgent
call for international action on Sunday to end the
ongoing attacks on hospitals, as Israeli forces battle
Palestinian militants in the heart of the Gaza Strip.
The regional directors of the UN sexual and reproductive health
agency (UNFPA), children’s agency
UNICEF and health agency WHO, 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.
Communications down
WHO 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.
Babies dying
“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 continued.
Right to medical assistance
“They cannot be condoned. The right to seek medical assistance,
especially in times of crisis, should never be denied”, the
statement said.
More than half of the hospitals in the Gaza Strip are
closed while those remaining “are under massive
strain”.
Shortages of water, food, and fuel are also threatening the
wellbeing of thousands of displaced people, including women and
children, who are sheltering in hospitals.
Death and despair
“The world cannot stand silent while hospitals, which should be
safe havens, are transformed into scenes of death, devastation,
and despair.
“Decisive international action is needed now to secure an
immediate humanitarian ceasefire and prevent
further loss of life, and preserve what’s left of the health care
system in Gaza”, the directors said.
“Unimpeded, safe and sustained access is needed now to provide
fuel, medical supplies and water for these lifesaving
services. The violence must end now.”
The Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, Lynn Hastings, warned that fuel is not only putting
lives at risk in hospital, but water pumps, desalination plants
and wastewater treatment centres are all "grinding to a halt."
She tweeted that public health crises are emerging and
"humanitarian operations will be next."
