-By ArdorComm News Network
January 2, 2025
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has warned that Israeli military actions in Gaza have pushed the region’s healthcare system to “the brink of total collapse.” In a report, the UN documented attacks on hospitals and medical facilities, raising concerns about possible war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law.
The report outlines a troubling pattern of strikes, sieges, and forced evacuations of hospitals, resulting in significant casualties among patients and medical personnel. It acknowledges Israel’s claims that Palestinian armed groups have misused hospitals, but labels the evidence supporting these allegations as “vague” and sometimes contradictory.
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned the attacks, emphasizing the paramount importance of protecting healthcare facilities during conflict. “The protection of hospitals during warfare is paramount and must be respected by all sides, at all times,” he stated.
Since October 2023, at least 136 strikes on 27 of Gaza’s 38 hospitals have been documented, causing severe damage and the deaths of over 500 medical professionals. The OHCHR report highlights the broader impacts of the conflict, including rising maternal and child mortality due to lack of care, and numerous deaths from delayed treatment of trauma injuries.
The Israeli government responded by asserting that it had taken measures to minimize civilian harm, including establishing evacuation routes and providing aid to hospitals. It also accused Hamas of using medical facilities as shields for military operations, claims the UN says remain unsubstantiated.
Türk called for independent investigations into the incidents and urged Israel, as the occupying power, to prioritize the facilitation of healthcare for the Palestinian population. The report adds to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian toll.
Source: BBC
Photo Credit: BBC