WHO reports 721 israeli attacks on health care sector in Palestinian territory
The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 721 attacks on the health care sector in the occupied Palestinian territory since October 7, 2023, with a significant number occurring in the Gaza Strip.
According to Tarik Jasarevic, a WHO spokesman, 357 of the documented attacks took place in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of 645 individuals and injuries to 818 others. These attacks have had a profound impact on the health care infrastructure, affecting 98 facilities, including 27 hospitals, and damaging 90 ambulances, out of which 50 sustained significant damage.
In addition to the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank has also experienced 364 attacks, resulting in 10 fatalities and 62 injuries. The attacks in the West Bank have affected 44 health facilities, including mobile clinics, and 249 ambulances.
Jasarevic highlighted the types of incidents that occurred during the attacks on the West Bank, including obstruction to health care delivery, use of force, detention, and ambulance searches. These incidents underscore the challenges faced by health care providers in delivering essential services amid ongoing conflict.
The WHO's report sheds light on the dire situation in the Palestinian territory and underscores the urgent need for international attention and intervention to protect the health and well-being of civilians in the region. (ILKHA)