GENEVA, Sunday, November 12, 2023 (WAFA) – WHO said last night it has lost communication with its contacts in Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza. As horrifying reports of the hospital facing repeated Israeli attacks continue to emerge, WHO said it assumes its contacts joined tens of thousands of displaced people who had sought shelter on the hospital grounds and are fleeing the area.
There are reports that some people who fled the hospital have been shot at by Israeli occupation forces surrounding the hospital, wounded and even killed.
Over the past 48 hours, Al-Shifa Hospital--which is the largest medical complex in Gaza--has been reportedly attacked by Israeli warplanes and tanks multiple times, leaving several people murdered and many others injured.
The intensive care unit suffered damage from bombardment, while areas of the hospital where displaced people were sheltering have also been damaged by Israeli bombardment. An intubated patient reportedly died when electricity was at one point cut.
The last reports said that the hospital was surrounded by tanks. Staff reported lack of clean water and risk of the last remaining critical functions, including ICUs, ventilators and incubators, soon shutting down due to lack of fuel, putting the lives of patients at immediate risk.
WHO expressed its grave concerns for the safety of the health workers, hundreds of sick and injured patients, including babies on life support and displaced people who remain inside the hospital.
The number of inpatients is reportedly almost double the hospital's capacity, even after restricting services to lifesaving emergency care.
WHO called again for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as the only way to save lives and reduce the horrific levels of suffering.
"Hospitals, patients, health staff, and persons sheltering in health facilities are protected under the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law," WHO said.
WHO also called for the sustained, orderly, unimpeded and safe medical evacuations of critically injured and sick patients into Egypt through the Rafah Border Crossing.
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