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Words fail us to describe the grave existential threats and harm facing medics, staff, patients, and displaced persons at medical centers across Gaza. Al Shifa hospital – the largest medical complex in Gaza – is reporting a complete lack of electricity and strikes impacting key facilities.
According to its Medical Director, Al Shifa is currently hosting more than 10,000 displaced persons, patients and medical staff, including those in critical medical conditions. OHCHR has been informed that the lack of power has already led to the death of at least 12 patients, and three children who were in incubators, with initial reports that more have died as a result of the shutdown of the intensive care unit. An additional 36 infants are at grave risk because of the lack of power. In the last 24 hours, OHCHR has received reports that the oxygen station, water tanks and well, maternity ward, and the cardiovascular facility have been hit. There are allegations that those attempting to leave the complex have been shot at. These are serious allegations that should be independently investigated.
Medical centres across northern Gaza and Gaza city – at the time such facilities are needed most – are being directly hit and shuttered as a result of the fighting and depleted fuel. Today, al-Quds hospital is no longer operational due to depletion of fuel and power outage. Indonesia hospital clings on, with heavy strikes impacting very close to its premises. OHCHR has also received calls from Jabalia Rehabilitation Centre where persons with disabilities are being cared for alongside others sheltering at the centre, who cannot move.
Hospitals and medical facilities are specially protected under international humanitarian law and all parties to the conflict must ensure their protection. Evacuations of hospitals in northern Gaza is, as the World Health Organization has warned, a “death sentence” in a context where the entire medical system is collapsing and hospitals in southern Gaza have no capacity to absorb more patients.
Further adding to the immense difficulties faced by those in Gaza, there are reports that already weakened telecommunications and internet services will completely cease in about four days due to a lack of fuel and power. A further and extended blackout of telecommunications and internet connection would deepen the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Desperate Palestinians will be unable to request emergency, rescue, and relief services. Under these circumstances, we are deeply concerned that it will become extremely difficult to get information from inside Gaza, including on violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
ENDS
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Public Information Officer, Yusra Jamous - Yusra.jamous@un.org Tag and share
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