ICRC warns of critical medical access issues in Gaza
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Due to the violent Israeli bombardment and complete blockade, approximately 16 hospitals, 32 primary care centers, 27 ambulances, and 105 medical facilities have been damaged or went out of service.
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Palestinians evacuate survivors after an Israeli strike on the Gaza Strip in Rafah on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday warned that the 'escalating violence' against medical facilities in the Gaza Strip has cut off thousands of critically injured civilians from accessing hospitals, increasing the risk of a significant loss of life.
"As the humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating, the ICRC urgently calls on the parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and do everything in their power to avoid any harm to medical facilities, vehicles, and personnel. Thousands of critically wounded civilians can no longer access hospitals that are increasingly unable to function due to damage and a lack of supplies," the ICRC said in a statement.
“Accepting violence against healthcare facilities, now when their role is so critical, will come at an unacceptable cost in human life.”
— ICRC (@ICRC) November 6, 2023
William Schomburg, Head of Sub-Delegation, #Gaza
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Due to the violent Israeli bombardment and complete blockade, approximately 16 hospitals, 32 primary care centers, 27 ambulances, and 105 medical facilities have been damaged or went out of service.
Sounding the alarm on the collapsed health sector in Gaza, a spokesperson for the Gaza Ministry of Health said on Sunday that "hospitals in the Gaza Strip are completely incapable of providing any health services and have only a few hours left" of fuel supplies, urging all relevant parties to secure a safe passage for the flow of humanitarian aid, including fuel, to Gaza."
Over 10,000 martyrs
The Israeli aggression on Gaza has thus far martyred 10,022 people, including 4,104 children, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Monday.
According to the Gaza Ministry, the Israeli occupation committed 19 massacres over the past few hours, killing 300 people at the very least, most of whom are women and children.
"The collapsing health sector in Gaza is completely paralyzed and incapable of saving the lives of patients," the ministry said, calling for the provision of "a safe and urgent humanitarian corridor to allow the entry of medical equipment and fuel, as well as to allow patients to leave Gaza for treatment," as well as urging the United Nations and the entire world to take action to put an end to the aggression.
