According to WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević, Nasser Hospital’s orthopedic unit has been damaged, leading to a decrease in their ability to give necessary medical treatment. This information was shared during a press conference in Geneva with reporters.

He stated that further deterioration of the hospital would result in more fatalities.

The United Nations agency reports that out of the 36 hospitals in the conflict-affected region, only 11 are operational. There are also reports of multiple patient fatalities during the Israeli operation.

The Israeli army claims that Hamas was either holding people hostage or refusing to return the bodies of Israelis in the Nasser compound, located in Khan Younis.

Locations for healing, not burial

The hospital has been offering life-saving assistance to those in critical condition and has provided shelter to many civilians who have been forced to leave their homes in other parts of the Gaza Strip.

According to Mr. Jašarević, WHO is currently working to quickly gain entry to the complex.

“We must urgently reach the location in order to provide fuel for the hospital to sustain its operations and ensure ongoing medical treatment for those who remain there,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the patients’ conditions and arranging for their safe transfer to other facilities.

Throughout this time, we have consistently expressed that individuals seeking shelter in hospitals, including patients, health workers, and civilians, deserve protection rather than being laid to rest in these places meant for healing. He further emphasized this sentiment.

Intense bombardment continues

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported ongoing, severe Israeli attacks from air, land, and sea throughout most of the Gaza Strip. These attacks have caused more civilian casualties, displacement, and damage to infrastructure.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated in a recent report on Friday that there is ongoing intense fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militant groups, primarily in the central areas of Khan Younis and east of Deir Al-Balah.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, between February 15th in the afternoon and 11am on February 16th (local time), 112 Palestinians were killed and 157 were injured. Since October 7th, a total of 28,775 fatalities and 68,552 injuries have been reported in Gaza.

Small strip of land

According to OCHA, there have been increased airstrikes in Rafah and statements from Israeli officials about a potential ground operation, causing people taking shelter there to relocate to Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza.

More than 50% of the people living in Gaza are squeezed into Rafah, a city located in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. This area makes up only 20% of the entire region.

‘Humanity must prevail’

Pregnant women, new mothers, and newborns are facing an especially challenging situation.

The UNFPA issued a warning stating that the Al-Helal Al-Emirati Maternity Hospital in Rafah is facing difficulties in offering sufficient healthcare due to being overwhelmed.

If the bombs don’t kill pregnant women, if disease, hunger and dehydration don’t catch up with them, simply giving birth could
– UNFPA

In summary, the United Nations agency dedicated to safe motherhood stated that pregnant women face multiple dangers, including bombs, diseases, hunger, and dehydration, and giving birth itself can be a risk.

UNFPA has cautioned that any additional assaults would be a tragic development in the conflict, potentially resulting in the deaths of thousands due to the violence and limited availability of essential resources such as food, water, and life-saving aid.

The statement emphasized the importance of humanity and restated the plea for a prompt ceasefire in Gaza and the swift release of hostages.

“The time is passing quickly.”

The United Nations’ independent committee, which oversees the execution of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, reiterated this demand.

The statement called on Israel to permit the distribution of medicines, medical staff, and humanitarian aid, specifically addressing the unique needs of women and girls by providing sexual and reproductive health services, as well as sanitary and hygiene products.

The committee, made up of neutral experts and not affiliated with any government or the United Nations, stated that famine and epidemics are quickly approaching as time passes. The well-being, both physical and mental, of the females in Gaza is greatly at risk.

Source: news.un.org