WHO calls for protection of health workers in Gaza after surge in attacks

The organisation has verified 1,003 attacks on healthcare workers or medical centres in Gaza and the occupied West Bank

Doctors perform surgery on a patient at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza, on March 17, 2024. AP

Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

The World Health Organisation has called for the protection of health workers in Gaza after attacks that have killed or wounded hundreds of them, an official told The National on Friday.

The Israeli army ramped up its ground operations in the southern city of Rafah from May, before moving to Gaza city in the centre of the Palestinian enclave.

This led to an influx of injured patients admitted to partially functioning hospitals, as well as an increase in health worker deaths.

“Health facilities, workers and patients must not be attacked nor used for military purposes, and the principles of precaution, distinction and proportionality are absolute and always apply,” said WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier.

Since the war began on October 7, the WHO has verified 1,003 attacks on doctors, nurses, hospitals and health clinics in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

In Gaza, 746 people have been killed and 967 injured in 486 attacks, Mr Lindmeier said.

In the occupied West Bank, more than 517 attacks have taken place during the same period, he said.

According to Medical Aid for Palestinians, more than 500 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza since June 25.

“Health care depends on the facilities and workers that deliver it,” said Mr Lindmeier.

“Attacking them destroys lives, health systems and, of great potential importance, the paths that lead to post war peace and reconciliation.”

Gaza's healthcare centres have been destroyed or badly damaged. Of the enclave's 36 hospitals, 13 are partially open with 11 of them having restricted access due to insecurity and damage in their vicinities, according to recent WHO figures.

In the southern city of Rafah, there is no functional hospital for a sixth consecutive week, he said.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said most of its medical points and emergency clinics in Gaza governorate were out of service.

A doctor at the UAE's field hospital in Al Arish, Egypt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

“For a population of 2.2 million people, there are only 1,000 beds, down from 3,500. Of these, 370 beds are at field hospitals,” said the PRCS representative.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has repeatedly said Gaza's entire healthcare system and staff are overstretched.

“They have been on their knees for months,” Hisham Mhanna, ICRC spokesman in Gaza, told The National.

Doctors and nurses have faced a non-stop increase of mass casualties since the start of the war – from the north to the south of the enclave.

“They have very limited capacity and inventory of medical supplies, disposables, medications that are life-saving for many cases in some situations,” Mr Mhanna said.

“Doctors and nurses have to make life or death decisions for the casualties they are handling.”

The ICRC has several field hospitals but their capacity has been strained a number of times over the past few weeks due to an increase in the number of injuries, he said.

Patients admitted to the ICRC's field hospitals are satisfied with the quality of treatment they have received but “fear they may face another situation where they will get injured or killed”.