Gaza healthcare has reached an alarming stage, with a United Nations report warning of a near-total collapse due to ongoing Israeli strikes. The relentless attacks have severely impacted medical facilities and personnel, leaving Palestinians without reliable access to essential healthcare. This healthcare catastrophe highlights the dire consequences of the conflict and underscores the urgent need for international attention and action.
Hospitals Under Attack
A UN human rights report revealed that between October 7, 2023, and June 30, 2024, at least 136 strikes targeted 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities in Gaza. These attacks caused substantial casualties among medical staff, patients, and civilians. In many cases, the strikes destroyed critical healthcare infrastructure, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Medical personnel and hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law, provided they are not used for military purposes. However, the UN report questioned Israel’s claims that hospitals in Gaza were being used by Palestinian groups for military operations. The allegations were described as vague and lacking publicly available evidence.
Read: Freezing Conditions in Gaza Claim Infant Lives Amid Ongoing Crisis
Dire Conditions for Patients and Staff
The UN report described Gaza’s hospitals as “death traps.” According to UN human rights chief Volker Turk, these facilities, which should provide sanctuary during conflict, have instead become zones of devastation. Patients, doctors, and nurses face constant danger from ongoing attacks, making the provision of medical care nearly impossible.
Moreover, flooding caused by heavy rains has added to the dire situation. Many field hospitals and makeshift shelters for displaced families have been inundated, leaving patients and healthcare workers in unbearable conditions.
International Law Violations
The report raised serious concerns about Israel’s adherence to international law, emphasizing that attacks on hospitals and medical personnel are prohibited. The consistent targeting of healthcare facilities has deprived Palestinians of life-saving medical care and violated their fundamental rights. The UN called for the protection of hospitals and medical staff to be upheld at all times, regardless of the conflict’s intensity.
Call for Accountability
The ongoing conflict has claimed more than 45,500 lives in Gaza, most of whom were civilians, according to UN-verified data from the Hamas-run health ministry. The UN urged independent and credible investigations into the attacks on medical facilities. Given the limitations of Israel’s justice system in addressing its military’s actions, the report emphasized the need for transparent accountability.
UN human rights chief Turk reiterated the importance of holding all parties accountable for violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws. He called for thorough investigations to ensure justice for the victims and to prevent further attacks on healthcare infrastructure.
A System on the Brink
As the healthcare system in Gaza teeters on the edge of collapse, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene. Thus, without immediate action, the humanitarian crisis will continue to worsen, leaving thousands without access to essential medical care. Protecting healthcare facilities and ensuring accountability are critical steps toward alleviating the suffering of Gaza’s people.
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