There is NO possibility that the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip will be functional soon. That was following two weeks of raids left much of the facility destroyed.
“Even restoring minimal function in the short term seems implausible,” World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on social media X following a WHO-led multi-agency mission accessed Al-Shifa Hospital in western Gaza City.
WHO and its partners succeeded in reaching Al-Shifa, he said, which was once the backbone of the health system in Gaza. “Now it is just a human grave following the last siege,” said Tedros.
The team observed at least five bodies, he said, adding that most of the buildings in the hospital complex were badly damaged. Many assets were damaged or destroyed.
“The recent efforts of WHO and its partners to support the revival of basic services in Al-Shifa have now been lost. The community has once once more lost access to life-saving health services,” according to Tedros.
He said a thorough evaluation by a team of engineers is necessary to ensure the safety of the remainder of the building for potential future use. With the threat of famine, the spread of disease outbreaks, and an increase in traumatic injuries, WHO is calling for urgent security of the remaining health care facilities in Gaza along with the protection of health workers and humanitarian personnel.
Also read: WHO considers the evacuation of Gaza patients as a threat to life
He also stressed the importance of an unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid to and across Gaza as well as an urgent ceasefire. Israel on Monday (1/4) announced that it had withdrawn from Al-Shifa Hospital and its surroundings following 14 days of raids that began on March 18.
The hospital was previously targeted by raids on November 16 following being besieged for a week when its grounds, parts of its buildings, medical equipment and power generators were destroyed.
Israel has launched deadly military attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack in early October by the Palestinian group Hamas killed just under 1,200 people. More than 33,100 Palestinians have been killed and more than 75,800 injured due to mass destruction and shortages of basic necessities.
Also read: WHO Completes Second Evacuation of Gaza Hospital amidst Fierce Fighting
Israel also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip. This has left its population, especially the residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.
Israel’s war has displaced 85% of Gaza’s population amid shortages of food, clean water and medicine. About 60% of the infrastructure in the enclave has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.
Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Last week, the world court asked Israel to do more to prevent famine in Gaza. (Anadolu/Z-2)
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