The World Health Organization condemned the attacks that took place near 3 hospitals in the Gaza Strip, namely Al-Shifa, Al-Quds, and Indonesian, which caused dozens of casualties, including dead and injured.
The World Health Organization said in a statement obtained by Sky News Arabia that the reports it received indicated that in Al-Shifa Hospital, ambulances were evacuating critically ill and injured patients to hospitals in the southern Gaza Strip when an attack occurred at the entrance to the hospital.
Initial reports were received that at least 13 people were killed and more than 60 others were injured, in addition to the hospital infrastructure and an ambulance being damaged, while another attack occurred that damaged another ambulance in the same convoy before that, according to the organization.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health had previously sent a call demanding the safe passage of a convoy of ambulances carrying injured and sick people from the hospital, in an attempt to reduce the pressure on the hospital, which far exceeded its capacity for patients, in addition to the thousands of displaced people who took shelter there.
The World Health Organization explained that two other attacks were reported on the same day at Al-Quds Hospital, resulting in the injury of at least 21 people, in addition to another attack near the Indonesian Hospital.
“Violation of humanitarian law”
The World Health Organization considered that attacks on health care, including targeting hospitals and imposing restrictions on the access of basic supplies such as medical supplies, fuel, and water, may “represent violations of international humanitarian law.”
The organization renewed its call for an immediate ceasefire, stressing the urgent need to protect all health workers, patients, healthcare transport and health facilities.
The Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean, Ahmed Al-Mandhari, previously said in an exclusive interview with Sky News Arabia that many Palestinians have taken refuge in hospitals seeking safe shelter, but due to the ongoing military operations, “no place is safe in Gaza.”
Al-Mandhari explained that the organization called on all international and professional leaders and all partners to work to put an end to what is happening, and to intervene immediately to protect civilians, patients, health workers and health facilities.
He added, “Civilians are not a target, patients and caregivers are not a target, and health facilities are not a target and may never be targeted by hostilities.”
2023-11-04 16:52:37
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