JERUSALEM, Nov 8 — The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report stating that Israel’s attacks on healthcare facilities in occupied Palestinian territory resulted in the deaths of 509 Palestinians, including patients and healthcare personnel, and injuries to 447 people.
Israel has carried out 229 attacks on hospitals and healthcare centers in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank since Oct 7, Anadolu Agency quoted the Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA) of the WHO.
WHO had called “for the active protection of civilians and healthcare,” it said on X.
There are 34 hospitals in Gaza, approximately 13 of which have a capacity of around 2,000 beds and are directly managed by the Ministry of Health.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides healthcare services to over 70 per cent of the population in the besieged enclave.
Some healthcare facilities are also managed by government agencies or organisations such as the Palestinian Red Crescent and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society.
In addition to numerous polyclinics and medical centres under the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, charity organisations also provide essential medical services in residential areas.
Many hospitals in northern Gaza have been evacuated. Some hospitals had to halt their operations due to damage from the Israeli bombardment or a lack of fuel.
On Nov 5, a group of Israeli doctors issued a statement claiming that Shifa Hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip was a base for “Palestinian armed groups” and called for its bombing.
Previously, a statement signed by 47 rabbis had also been issued, advocating the bombing of Shifa Hospital based on similar allegations.
According to the Gaza government’s Media Office, as a result of Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, 16 hospitals have completely ceased their operations, and 18 hospitals are partially functional.
Hospitals that are no longer operational include Turkish Friendship Hospital (the only hospital that treats cancer patients in Gaza), Beit Hanoun Hospital, Al-Wafa Hospital for Specialised Surgery and Medical Rehabilitation, Public Aid Hospital, Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital, Al-Karama, Haifa Hospital, International Eye Hospital, Psychiatric Hospital, al-Durrah Children’s Hospital, Hamad Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Hospital, Dar al-Salaam Charitable Hospital, Al-Yemen al-Saeed Hospital, Saint John Eye Hospital, Al-Hayat Specialist Hospital and Yafa Specialised Medical Hospital.
— Bernama-Anadolu
