The UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO directors in the region expressed their shock and horror at recent reports of multiple fatalities, including children, in various facilities in Gaza City and other parts of the northern Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has stated that Al-Quds, the second largest hospital in Gaza, is currently unable to function due to a lack of fuel. The NGO has also mentioned that they have only been able to sporadically communicate with the hospital.

The Tedros report stated that Al Shifa is not operational.

On social media platform X, the leader of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, shared that after successfully making contact with the biggest hospital, Al Shifa, in the recent hours, he described the situation as extremely urgent and dangerous.

He reported that the medics had been without electricity and water for three days, and the unreliable internet has greatly hindered our ability to give necessary medical attention.

“The continuous firing and bombings in the vicinity have worsened the already dire situation. Unfortunately, there has been a significant rise in the number of patients who have died,” he stated.

He agreed with the regional directors that the hospital is no longer operating as a hospital and requires international intervention.

Communications down

According to reports from the health ministry, five injured individuals passed away on Saturday as they were unable to receive necessary operations due to a shortage of fuel.

On Saturday, it was reported that two infants in the intensive care unit had passed away due to a lack of access to water, food, and electricity.

Tedros expressed serious worry about the well-being of employees and patients who were caught in the midst of fighting on Saturday night. He also mentioned reports that Israeli tanks were encircling Al Shifa.

The Israeli army has consistently denied allegations of deliberately targeting hospitals, stating that Hamas and other militant groups are using the buildings as cover, with their main bases located under Al Shifa.

According to the joint statement from Laila Baker of UNFPA, UNICEF Regional Director Adele Khodr, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari of WHO, the ongoing conflict in northern Gaza has created a dangerous environment for health workers, the wounded, and other patients trying to access hospitals.

Babies dying

According to reports, premature and new-born infants who are dependent on life support are dying at Al-Shifa Hospital because of interruptions in power, oxygen, and water supply. This is also putting other patients in danger. Staff at multiple hospitals are expressing concerns about shortages of fuel, water, and essential medical resources, which is posing an immediate threat to the lives of all patients.

In the last 36 days, the WHO has documented a minimum of 137 incidents of violence targeting healthcare facilities in Gaza. This has led to 521 fatalities and 686 injuries, including 16 deaths and 38 injuries of healthcare personnel, according to statements from regional directors.

We cannot stay silent as hospitals, designated to be places of safety, become sites of destruction and hopelessness.

The persistence of assaults on medical establishments and innocent individuals is not tolerable and goes against international regulations, as stated by the source.

The entitlement to receive medical aid.

The statement declared that they cannot be approved. It stated that everyone should have the right to seek medical help, especially in emergency situations, and it should never be refused.

Over 50% of the hospitals in the Gaza Strip are currently not operating, and the remaining ones are facing significant challenges.

The scarcity of water, food, and fuel is endangering the health and safety of numerous displaced individuals, particularly women and children, who are seeking refuge in hospitals.

Death and despair

It is unacceptable for the world to remain silent while hospitals, which are meant to be places of safety, become sites of death, destruction, and hopelessness.

The directors emphasized the urgent need for international intervention to establish a humanitarian ceasefire, halt the loss of life, and protect the remaining healthcare infrastructure in Gaza.

“We urgently require unobstructed, secure, and ongoing entry to supply fuel, medical supplies, and water for these critical services. The hostility must cease immediately.”

The Humanitarian Coordinator for the Palestinian Territory under Israeli occupation, Lynn Hastings, cautioned that the shortage of fuel is not only endangering lives in hospitals, but also causing a cessation of operations for water pumps, desalination facilities, and wastewater treatment centers.

She posted on Twitter that there are growing public health emergencies and warned that humanitarian efforts may be next.

Source: news.un.org