The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a warning about the ongoing conflict after almost four months since it began. The war has involved significant Israeli shelling in the Gaza Strip as retaliation for attacks by Hamas on Israeli communities. These attacks began on October 7th, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and over 250 people being held hostage.

According to Ajith Sunghay, the Head of the UN Human Rights Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Palestinians have been forced to leave their homes and take shelter in smaller and smaller areas due to frequent attacks on hospitals, schools, and other safe places. This has resulted in limited access to basic necessities for sustaining life. These actions by Israel go against their responsibilities under international law.

No ‘safe’ space

According to Mr. Sunghay, Israeli Defense Forces have continued to shell areas that were designated as “safe” without mutual agreement, such as Al Mawasi in the western part of Khan Younis.

“Despite the reported explosions in Al Mawasi on 22 and 23 January, the IDF persisted in instructing residents of western Khan Younis to relocate there,” he asserted.

Mr. Sunghay stated that the order was repeatedly issued on January 23rd, 24th, and 25th, affecting over 500,000 individuals and three hospitals, including Nasser Hospital, Al-Amal Hospital, and the Jordanian Field Hospital, which have been subjected to intense attacks and blockade.

I am extremely worried that the disorganized and widespread orders for evacuation are not effective in protecting Palestinian civilians. Instead, they are being put in more hazardous and risky situations.

Health under attack

During the conflict between Israeli airstrikes and Palestinian armed groups, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) expressed ongoing worries about the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

According to the most recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 318 incidents targeting healthcare in Gaza since the start of the war, resulting in 615 deaths and 778 injuries. This has affected 95 healthcare facilities, leaving only 14 out of 36 hospitals still operational – seven in the southern region and seven in the northern region.

According to the most recent information from Gaza’s health officials, as reported by the WHO, the total number of fatalities has exceeded 26,000. Shockingly, 75% of these victims were children and women. Additionally, there have been at least 60,000 documented injuries, with an estimated 8,000 individuals still missing and presumed deceased under the rubble, according to Christian Lindmeier, a spokesperson for the WHO.

He stated that the limited hospitals in Gaza are facing extremely urgent situations. He also mentioned that the ongoing conflicts have frequently hindered patients and supplies from being able to enter.

Fear of uncertainty

“At the moment, it is similar to the situation at Nasser hospital. People are taking refuge in the surrounding area while under attack. The hospital is essentially surrounded, with no one able to enter or leave. People are uncertain about what will happen in the next few minutes and are afraid for their safety,” stated a representative from the WHO.

Given that they are currently at a hospital, it should serve as a safe haven for individuals in need of assistance, for those who have been wounded or injured, and for those suffering from illnesses.

Alongside the ongoing violence impacting healthcare services in Gaza, a representative from the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged an increase in assaults on health facilities in the West Bank. Out of a total of 358 attacks, seven have resulted in fatalities and 59 in injuries, surpassing those in Gaza. According to a recent update from WHO, these attacks have caused damage to 44 health facilities, including 15 mobile clinics and 245 ambulances.

, Gaza

Hopelessness in Khan Younis, Rafah, Gaza

In the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Mr. Sunghay, an officer from OHCHR, reported witnessing desperate situations that were on the verge of escalating.

“He stated that he encountered individuals who were feeling frustrated, angry, and understandably cautious. Their schools and universities had been decimated, which also shattered their aspirations for the future.”

He stated from Amman, Jordan that there have been frequent assaults in the past few days that have targeted both healthcare and educational facilities in Khan Younis, as well as UN buildings and residential areas.

The OHCHR and its partners are still greatly concerned about the state of affairs in Rafah, located in the southernmost area of the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Sunghay observed individuals who had been forced by Israeli authorities to vacate their residences. These individuals were left without any arrangements for housing and were forced to live on the streets, with sewage flowing and dire circumstances that could potentially lead to chaos.

“The people I spoke to fear the extreme violence is spilling into Rafah, which will have catastrophic implications for the more than 1.3 million people already crowded there.”

Source: news.un.org