Nasser Hospital in Gaza is no longer functional after a weeklong siege and ongoing raid.
Israel Defense Forces entered the hospital on February 15, saying that they had intelligence that hostages were being held there by Hamas.
WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared the news on X on February 18, saying that the WHO team was not permitted to access the hospital compound to deliver fuel.
He stated that there are still about 200 patients in the hospital, at least 20 of whom need to be immediately referred to other hospitals to receive treatment. “The cost of delays will be paid by patients’ lives,” he added.
A source inside the hospital told the BBC that 11 patients had died due to the issues in supplying electricity and oxygen.
Martin Griffiths, UN Humanitarian Chief, said on February 15: “Wounded and sick, as well as medical personnel and facilities must be protected. All feasible precautions must be taken to spare patients, staff, and civilians sheltering in the hospital. Hospitals must be places of greater safety, not of war.”
The WHO said that attacks have been reported in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory that have damaged health facilities, and killed and injured health workers and patients.
They said: “In the Gaza Strip, airstrikes and a lack of medical supplies, food, water, and fuel have virtually depleted an already under-resourced health system. Hospitals are experiencing overcrowding due to an increase in patients and displaced civilians seeking shelter. The provision of essential health services- from maternal and newborn care to treatment for chronic conditions- has been severely compromised.”
The BBC has had reports that the need for beds is 300% overcapacity in some hospitals in southern Gaza.
In January, the WHO stated that only 7 of Southern Gaza’s hospitals remain partially functional, out of a previous 12.
Dr. Thaer Ahmad, who volunteered at Nasser Hospital, criticised the American Medical Association for speaking out against Russian attacks on hospitals in Ukraine but staying silent on Israeli attacks on medical facilities in Gaza.
He spoke on Democracy Now saying: "It’s not political or polarizing when you’re asking for antibiotics.”
Israel has said it has been allowing medical supplies and humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, aid organisations such as the WHO have said there have been “repeated access restrictions and denials,” according to the BBC.
"Palestine ambulance strike" by Tasnim News Agency is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
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