Expansion of Health Services in Gaza Due to Staff Residence Attack by Israeli Defense Forces
In the midst of a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an urgent expansion of its medical services and corridors. This comes after a series of attacks on WHO facilities and staff residences by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
The attacks, which include the forced evacuation of at least 43 WHO staff members and their families, damage to the WHO's main warehouse, and the targeting of its main warehouse filled with medical supplies, have caused significant loss of essential medical supplies and medicines. The WHO residence in Deir al Balah, Gaza, was attacked three times by the IDF, resulting in a fire and damage that traumatized WHO employees and their families, including children.
In response, the WHO is urging more countries to accept patients from Gaza for medical evacuation and treatment, as over 10,000 patients remain in need of evacuation, with many critically ill children among them. The organization recently supervised the evacuation of 35 patients to Jordan with family members.
The WHO is also working to establish additional stabilization centers within Gaza, such as a new one at Rantisi Specialized Pediatric Hospital, to expand capacity for treating severely ill patients locally amid a near-collapse of the Gaza health system caused by airstrikes and shortages of supplies, food, water, and fuel.
The WHO's humanitarian operations have been compromised due to the damage to its facilities. The organization has condemned attacks on its premises despite notifying all parties of their locations and calls for protection of such medical facilities under international law.
The WHO is also urging for rapid and unimpeded flow of aid, including food, fuel, and health supplies, into and across Gaza. The organization plans to expand its medical services in Gaza to cope with the overwhelming health needs.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, stated that the organization will reorganize, reflect, and expand its operation. WHO officials are appalled by the dangerous conditions under which humanitarians and health workers are forced to operate in Gaza.
The Israeli military maintains continuous and consistent contact with international organizations, including the WHO. Despite this, the IDF has been accused of detaining WHO staff members, with four people, including two WHO staff members, currently detained by the Israeli military. Three have been released, but one staff member remains in Israeli custody.
The IDF has also stated that it sometimes removes parts of an individual's clothing to ensure they are not concealing explosives or weapons. This practice has been criticized by the WHO and other humanitarian organizations as a violation of international law and a risk to the safety and dignity of those being searched.
The WHO is urging member states to increase support to the organization and ensure a sustained and regular flow of medical supplies into Gaza. The organization is committed to providing essential medical services to the people of Gaza and advocating for their protection under international law.
- The WHO has called for an urgent expansion of its medical services in Gaza due to the damage caused by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attacks on their facilities and residences.
- The IDF's targeting of the WHO's main warehouse filled with medical supplies and medicines has resulted in a significant loss of essential resources.
- The WHO is urging more countries to accept patients from Gaza for medical evacuation and treatment due to the near-collapse of the Gaza health system.
- The WHO is working to establish additional stabilization centers within Gaza to expand capacity for treating severely ill patients locally, in response to the attacks and airstrikes.
- The WHO plans to expand its medical services in Gaza to cope with the overwhelming health needs, but their operations have been compromised due to the damage to their facilities.
- The WHO is advocating for the protection of medical facilities under international law, urging rapids and unimpeded flow of aid, including food, fuel, and health supplies, into Gaza.
