The Israeli military stated that they did not intentionally attack Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, stating that it is located above a Hamas command post. However, they have acknowledged that there is active fighting occurring in the vicinity of the hospital.

UN relief and humanitarian affairs chief, Martin Griffiths, tweeted that in light of “horrific reports of attacks”, there could be “no justification for acts of war in healthcare facilities leaving them with no power, food or water and shooting at patients and civilians trying to flee.

This behavior is unacceptable, despicable, and needs to come to an end.

Hospitals should be secure havens for those in need, where they can trust that they are protected rather than being in the midst of conflict.

Principle of proportionality

The UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, reinforced the call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, stressing that civilian infrastructure “cannot be used for military operations.”

She wrote on Twitter that protection should be provided for patients, medical staff, and individuals seeking shelter.

We must adhere to the principles of proportionality and distinction.

According to a non-governmental organization representing doctors, news outlets have reported that two premature infants passed away at Al-Shifa recently due to damage to the last functioning generator caused by airstrikes.

According to reports, the hospital has depleted its supply of water, food, and electricity.

According to OCHA, citing the health ministry in Gaza, which is considered trustworthy by the UN, over 10,800 people have died and more than 26,900 have been wounded in the enclave since the 7 October assaults.

On Friday, Israel updated the number of deaths caused by the Hamas terrorist attacks to 1,200.

Lives are in a precarious state.

On Saturday, UNICEF reported that the severe deterioration and assaults on medical facilities and services in northern Gaza have placed lives in critical danger.

They observed that medical services at the Al-Rantisi and Al-Nasr children’s hospitals in the Gaza Strip were severely limited, with only a small generator supplying electricity to the intensive care unit.

According to Adele Khodr, Regional Director for UNICEF in the Middle East and North Africa, the rights of children to life and health are being violated. It is essential to uphold the laws of war by safeguarding hospitals and ensuring the delivery of essential medical supplies. This is a crucial matter that requires immediate attention.

UNICEF reported that hospitals in the central and southern regions of the Gaza Strip are facing a double burden. Along with the high volume of injuries requiring medical attention, they must also address the needs of hundreds of thousands of people who have recently arrived and are now living in even more crowded conditions.

The agency stated that the current services need to be bolstered and reinforced in order to address the growing difficulties they encounter.

According to Mr. Khodr, the lives of children are at great risk and they have no safe place to go in the northern region.

More to come…

Source: news.un.org