The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday condemned Israel for issuing evacuation orders in Gaza ahead of an expected ground invasion, calling it a “death sentence” for sick and injured Palestinians in the region’s hospitals .
“Forcing more than 2,000 patients to move to southern Gaza, where health facilities are already operating at capacity and unable to absorb a dramatic increase in patient numbers, could amount to a death sentence,” the organization said. wrote in an article onformerly known as Twitter.
Hospitals in the region were already operating on minimal resources after Israel cut off supplies – including water, food and fuel – to the Gaza Strip following Hamas’ surprise weekend attack the latter which killed more than 1,000 Israelis. The organization had earlier confirmed that despite rationing of supplies, hospitals were “beyond capacity”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, after the invasion. On Friday, Israel gave civilians in northern Gaza just over 24 hours to evacuate before the expected offensive.
“The forced evacuation of patients and health workers will only worsen the current humanitarian and public health catastrophe,” the WHO wrote.
“The lives of many fragile and seriously ill patients are at stake,” they argued, pointing to patients who must remain connected to life support machines, newborns in incubators, women suffering from pregnancy complications and others.
The organization further argued that hospital managers and staff must choose between abandoning sick patients or putting their lives at risk by attempting to transport them. They also warned that many displaced Palestinians have chosen to seek refuge in areas near hospitals.
WHO officials are calling on Israel to reverse its hospital evacuation order and ensure health facilities are protected.
“WHO also reiterates its calls for the immediate and safe delivery of medical supplies, fuel, drinking water, food and other humanitarian assistance to Gaza through the Rafah crossing, where life-saving aid, including WHO health supplies that arrived earlier in the day are being delivered. currently awaiting entry,” they concluded.
Israel said it would not allow supplies to the territory until more than 100 hostages taken by Hamas were released.
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