The regional directors of the UN Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency (UNFPA), the children’s fund UNICEF and the WHO health agency said they were “appalled” by recent reports that facilities in Gaza City and other northern areas found large numbers of people – including including children – areas of the strip were killed.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reports that Gaza’s second largest hospital, Al-Quds, is virtually out of service due to a lack of fuel. The NGO said it was only able to contact the facility sporadically.
Communication interrupted
The WHO has lost communication with its contacts at Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza, where news reports citing the Health Ministry said five wounded patients had died because they could not undergo surgery due to a lack of fuel.
Two babies reportedly died in the intensive care unit there on Saturday after water, food and electricity were cut off.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concern for the safety of staff and patients caught in the crossfire late Saturday, noting that Israeli tanks had reportedly surrounded Al Shifa.
The Israeli military has repeatedly denied that its forces are attacking hospitals, saying Hamas and other militants were using the facilities as shields and that their headquarters were below Al Shifa.
“Intense hostilities around several hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip are preventing safe access for health workers, injured people and other patients,” said the statement from UNFPA’s Laila Baker, UNICEF Regional Director Adele Khodr and Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari from WER.
Babies die
“Premature babies and newborns requiring life support are reportedly dying due to power, oxygen and water outages at Al-Shifa Hospital, while others are at risk. Staff at several hospitals are reporting shortages of fuel, water and basic medical supplies, putting the lives of all patients in imminent danger.”
Over the past 36 days, WHO has recorded at least 137 attacks on health workers in Gaza, resulting in 521 deaths and 686 injuries, including 16 deaths and 38 injuries to health workers, the regional directors said.
The world cannot remain silent as hospitals that should be safe havens are transformed into scenes of death, devastation and despair
Attacks on medical facilities and civilians are unacceptable and a violation of international law, they continued.
Right to medical assistance
“They cannot be tolerated. The right to medical attention, especially in times of crisis, should never be denied,” the statement said.
More than half of Gaza’s hospitals are closed while the remaining “are under massive strain.”
Lack of water, food and fuel also threatens the well-being of thousands of displaced people, including women and children seeking refuge in hospitals.
Death and despair
“The world cannot remain silent as hospitals that should be safe havens are transformed into scenes of death, devastation and despair.”
“Strong international action is now needed to ensure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and to prevent further loss of life and preserve what remains of the health system in Gaza,” the directors said.
“Unimpeded, safe and sustained access is now needed to provide fuel, medical supplies and water for these life-saving services. The violence must end now.”
Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territories Lynn Hastings warned that fuel not only endangers lives in hospitals, but also brings water pumps, desalination plants and wastewater treatment centers to a “halt.”
She tweeted that public health crises are occurring and “humanitarian operations will be next.”