WHO calls on Israel to rescue victims @ Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged Israel on Sunday to urgently enable access to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza and establish a humanitarian corridor.

We urge Israel to urgently facilitate access and a humanitarian corridor so WHO and partners can carry out the lifesaving transfer of patients.

He said 21 patients have died since Al-Shifa Hospital came under siege on March 18, with hostilities continuing in its vicinity according to updates from a health worker at the facility.

About 107 patients are in an inadequate building, within the hospital compound, lacking needed health support, medical care and supplies. Patients have been moved multiple times within the hospital compound since the siege began.

Among the patients are 4 children and 28 critical patients lacking necessary means of care – no diapers, urine bags, water to clean wounds. Many have infected wounds and are dehydrated.

Tedros said that as of yesterday, there is now just one bottle of water available for every 15 people, leading to the rapid spread of contagious diseases because of highly unsanitary conditions and water scarcity.

A severe shortage of food poses a critical risk, particularly for diabetic patients whose health is deteriorating. We repeat: every moment matters. We need a Ceasefire!

Civilians and the sick should be protected and should not be targeted, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as Israel continued its siege of Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza.

OCHA continues to call for civilians — including sick and wounded patients and medical staff—to be protected. Hospitals and health care facilities should not be targeted.

The WHO documented 410 attacks on health care in Gaza since 7 October, adding that these attacks reportedly caused hundreds of casualties, damaged nearly 100 facilities and affected more than 100 ambulances.

The WHO also documented 403 attacks on health care facilities during the same period in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli occupation forces continue their attacks on Al-Shifa Medical Complex, where they have arrested hundreds of its workers, patients and displaced persons, executed dozens and shelled the hospital and surrounding buildings

Middle East Monitor / ABC Flash Point News 2024.