Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATION, 13th Nov. UN agencies on Sunday issued an urgent call for international action to end the ongoing attacks on hospitals, as Israeli forces battle Palestinian militants Hamas in the heart of the Gaza Strip.
The regional directors of the UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO, said they were “horrified” at latest reports which indicate many have been killed including children in facilities across Gaza city and other northern areas of the Strip.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that the second largest hospital in Gaza, Al-Quds, is in effect out of service due to fuel shortages with the NGO said it has only been able to make sporadic contact with the facility.
WHO has lost communication with its contacts at Al Shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza, where news reports quoted the health ministry, said that five wounded patients have died because they could not be operated on due to a lack of fuel.
The agency said that two babies in the intensive care unit were reported to have died on Saturday, with water, food and electricity cut off.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concern for the safety of staff and patients caught in crossfire late on Saturday noting that Israeli tanks were reportedly surrounding Al Shifa.
The Israeli military has denied its forces are targeting hospitals, claimed that Hamas and other militants are using the facilities as shields with their headquarters located beneath Al Shifa.
Laila Baker of UNFPA, UNICEF Regional Director Adele Khodr, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, of WHO in a joint statement issued said “Intense hostilities surrounding several hospitals in northern Gaza are preventing safe access for health staff, the injured, and other patients”.
“Premature and new-born babies on life support are reportedly dying due to power, oxygen, and water cuts at Al-Shifa Hospital. Staff across a number of hospitals reported lack of fuel, water and basic medical supplies, putting the lives of all patients at immediate risk.”
WHO has recorded at least 137 attacks on healthcare in Gaza, resulting in 521 deaths and 686 injuries, including 16 deaths and 38 injuries of health workers, the regional directors said.
Attacks on medical facilities and civilians are unacceptable and are a violation of international law, they continued.
“They cannot be condoned. The right to seek medical assistance, especially in times of crisis, should never be denied”, the statement said.
Over half of the hospitals in the Gaza Strip are closed while those remaining “are under massive strain”.
Shortages of water, food, and fuel are also threatening the wellbeing of thousands of displaced people, including women and children, who are sheltering in hospitals.
“The world cannot stand silent while hospitals, which should be safe havens, are transformed into scenes of death, devastation, and despair.
“Decisive international action is needed now to secure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and prevent further loss of life, and preserve what’s left of the health care system in Gaza”, the directors said.
“Unimpeded, safe and sustained access is needed now to provide fuel, medical supplies and water for these lifesaving services. The violence must end now.”
Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, warned that fuel is not only putting lives at risk in hospital, but water pumps, desalination plants and wastewater treatment centres are all “grinding to a halt.”
She tweeted that public health crises are emerging and “humanitarian operations will be next.”
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