The Health Sector within the Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO) strongly condemns the ongoing Israeli occupation crimes against medical teams and health institutions in the Gaza Strip.
PNGO Health Sector highlights the rapidly deteriorating health conditions in Gaza due to Israel’s deliberate and systematic targeting of the health system. The Israeli occupation has carried out direct and intentional attacks through bombing, destruction, siege, and forced evacuations, rendering most hospitals out of service. Hundreds of medical personnel have been killed, while a large number of healthcare workers have been detained - many of whom continue to face torture, including Dr. Ahmad Mehanna, Director of Al-Awda Hospital, and Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital.
PNGO Health Sector condemns the deliberate targeting of ambulances and the execution of Palestinian Red Crescent and Civil Defense teams in Tel al-Sultan, Rafah. It also denounces the bombing of the surgery building at Nasser Medical Complex.
The remaining parts of the health system are overwhelmed by the large number of wounded in recent weeks, in addition to thousands of chronic disease patients and other urgent medical cases, all amid a severe shortage of medicines, medical supplies, and the breakdown of life-saving equipment.
PNGO Health Sector also notes that thousands of patients and injured individuals require treatment outside Gaza, yet their lives are now at risk due to the unavailability of necessary healthcare.
It warns of the grave consequences of the ongoing collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system on the lives and well-being of the population, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli blockade and the denial of entry for humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and medicines, since March 2nd. It also expresses deep concern over the rising cases of malnutrition among children as famine spreads across various areas of Gaza.
PNGO Health Sector urgently calls on all international actors to exert serious pressure to immediately halt the Israeli occupation aggression against the Palestinian people and humanitarian organizations - especially medical teams and hospitals, which are entitled to international protection and immunity.
It also calls for the immediate opening of crossings to allow the entry of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, and to permit patients and the wounded to access treatment abroad. Additionally, it urges the dispatch of international medical teams to Gaza to support and strengthen the local healthcare system.
On the occasion of World Health Day, which falls today (April 7), the Health Sector in PNGO extends its deepest appreciation to all medical teams who, despite the dangers and limited resources, continue to do everything possible to save the lives of the injured and the sick.
