…….Calls for cease-fire
ASHENEWS reports that the World Health Organization has verified over 250 attacks on healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank raising alarm over the reports on repeated attacks on hospitals.
The WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made this disclosure on his handle on X (formerly Twitter) over the weekend.
On the 11th of November, Ghebreyesus lamented that several health workers have been forced to leave the hospital in search of safety saying that the health workers, hundreds of sick and injured patients, including babies on life support, and displaced people who remain inside the hospital need protection.
“We are extremely disturbed by reports of airstrikes in the vicinity of Al-Shifa hospital in #Gaza.
“Many health workers we were in contact with have been forced to leave the hospital in search of safety. Others report being unable to move due to grave insecurity.
“Many of the thousands sheltering at the hospital are forced to evacuate due to security risks, while many still remain there.
“Since the 7th of October, @WHO has verified over 250 attacks on healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank. Last week, WHO documented 5 attacks on 5 hospitals in one day in Gaza. In the past 48 hours alone, 4 hospitals have been put out of action.”
On Saturday, the WHO raised alarm after losing contact with its focal points in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza after receiving reports that some of those who fled the hospital were shot at, wounded, or killed with other reports that the hospital was surrounded by tanks.
However, at about 10 pm on Sunday, Ghebreyesus confirmed that the WHO has been able to be in touch with health professionals at the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza disclosing that the situation is dire and perilous.
“It has been 3 days without electricity, without water and with very poor internet which has severely impacted our ability to provide essential care.
“The constant gunfire and bombings in the area have exacerbated the already critical circumstances. Tragically, the number of patient fatalities has increased significantly. Regrettably, the hospital is not functioning as a hospital anymore.
“The world cannot stand silent while hospitals, which should be safe havens, are transformed into scenes of death, devastation, and despair.”
The DG then called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza as the only way to save lives and reduce the horrific levels of suffering while also calling for the sustained, orderly, unimpeded and safe medical evacuations of critically injured and sick patients.
“We call on both sides to respect international humanitarian law. We appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire now.”
