Geneva: During nights of intense bombardment and ground incursions in Gaza, with reports of hostilities continuing, health workers, patients and civilians have been subject to a total communication and electrical blackout. Civilians, patients, and health workers in Gaza are spending nights in darkness and fear, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported today.
WHO said reports of bombardment near the Indonesia and Al Shifa hospitals “are gravely concerning”, and noted that it was “impossible” to evacuate patients without endangering their lives. Hospitals across Gaza are already operating at maximum capacity due to the injuries sustained in weeks of unrelenting bombardment, and are unable to absorb a dramatic rise in the number of patients while sheltering thousands of civilians.
WHO further stated that it has not been able to communicate with its staff in Gaza or any other agencies. It said it was trying to gather information on the overall impact on civilians and health care. It claimed health workers who stayed by their patients’ sides faced dwindling supplies, with no place to put new patients, and no means to alleviate their patients’ pain.
“There are more wounded every hour. But ambulances cannot reach them in the communications blackout. Morgues are full. More than half of the dead are women and children,” it stated.
Reiterating its call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and reminding all parties to the conflict to take all precautions to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, WHO said that this included health workers, patients, health facilities and ambulances, and civilians who were sheltering in these facilities.
“Active measures must be taken to ensure they are not harmed and safe passage provided for the movement of desperately needed medical supplies, fuel, water and food into and across Gaza,” it stressed.
WHO appealed “to the humanity” in all those who have the power to do so to end the fighting now, in line with the UN resolution adopted yesterday, calling for a humanitarian truce, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians held captive.
– global bihari bureau
