Geneva - (Saba):
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the imminent collapse of the health system in the Gaza Strip, as the Israeli military aggression continues.
The organization said in a statement on Friday that "the intensive Israeli military operations continue to threaten an already exhausted health system that is on the verge of collapse, while the crisis of mass displacement and severe shortages of food, water, medical supplies, fuel, and shelter worsens."
It added that "four major hospitals in Gaza—Kamal Adwan Hospital, the Indonesian Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and the European Gaza Hospital—were forced to suspend medical services over the past week" due to their proximity to evacuation areas and exposure to Israeli attacks.
The organization added that it has recorded 28 attacks on health care in Gaza recently, bringing the total number of attacks since October 2023 to 697.
She explained that "of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip, only 19 remain operational, including one that provides basic care to patients still inside. Even these hospitals are suffering from severe shortages of supplies, a shortage of health workers, prolonged insecurity, and a rapidly rising number of infections. Meanwhile, medical teams are working tirelessly under impossible conditions."
She noted that of the 19 hospitals mentioned, only one provides a range of health services, while the rest are limited to providing only essential emergency services. It is estimated that at least 94% of all hospitals in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed.
The World Health Organization stated that "the escalation of hostilities and the issuance of new evacuation orders in northern and southern Gaza over the past two days threaten to put more health facilities out of service. This includes one hospital, 11 primary care centers, and 13 health points located within the evacuation zones, in addition to five hospitals, one field hospital, nine primary care centers, and 23 health points located within 1,000 meters of these areas."
It added, "Northern Gaza has been stripped of almost all health care services. Al-Awda Hospital is only minimally functioning and currently serves as an emergency point for severely injured patients. Even this hospital is at imminent risk of closure due to continued insecurity and restricted access."
The third floor of the hospital was reportedly struck by Israeli aircraft last Wednesday, injuring one medical staff member. The Israeli aggression in the area also damaged a water tank and pipeline.
The organization called for "allowing widespread access to Gaza through all possible means, and ensuring unhindered humanitarian access to the population wherever they are. In line with what the UN Relief Coordinator emphasized, the organization reiterates that the United Nations and its partners have a clear, principled, and effective plan for delivering aid, and that this plan includes safeguards to prevent diversion from its humanitarian purpose. It is a proven plan that must be enabled to continue."
The World Health Organization called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire.