(UN Photo/Loey Felipe) Members of the UN Security Council stand in silence to honour those affected by the Israel-Palestine conflict Nov. 10, 2023.
By Gary Raynaldo – DIPLOMATIC TIMES
On Sunday, UN agencies issued an urgent call for international action on Sunday to end the ongoing attacks on hospitals, as Israeli forces battle Palestinian militants in the heart of the Gaza Strip. The regional directors of the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), children’s agency UNICEF and health agency 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 UN health agency chief told the Security Council Friday that the entire health system of Gaza is “on its knees” as result of the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinians. The UN Security Council met on Friday to discuss the ongoing Israel-Palestine crisis as negotiations continue behind the scenes within the 15 member body to reach some consensus position over the war raging in Gaza. Ambassadors heard testimony from the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who said the entire health system of the enclave was now “on its knees”.
The regional directors of the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), children’s agency UNICEF and health agency 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.
Writing on social media platform X, the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said having managed to establish contact with the largest hospital, Al Shifa, in the past few hours, “the situation is dire and perilous.” He said medics had been three days without electricity and water “and with very poor internet which has severely impacted our ability to provide essential care.
“The constant gunfire and bombings in the area have exacerbated the already critical circumstances. Tragically, the number of patient fatalities has increased significantly”, he added.
Babies Dying
“Intense hostilities surrounding several hospitals in northern Gaza are preventing safe access for health staff, the injured, and other patients”, said the statement released by Laila Baker of UNFPA, UNICEF Regional Director Adele Khodr, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, of WHO.
“Premature and new-born babies on life support are reportedly dying due to power, oxygen, and water cuts at Al-Shifa Hospital, while others are at risk. Staff across a number of hospitals are reporting lack of fuel, water and basic medical supplies, putting the lives of all patients at immediate risk.”
The statement also said: “They cannot be condoned. The right to seek medical assistance, especially in times of crisis, should never be denied.” More than half of the hospitals in the Gaza Strip are closed while those remaining “are under massive strain”.
