GAZA CITY: The UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Friday about the situation of the largest remaining hospital in southern Gaza, describing it as “barely functional” amid intense Israeli forces attacks.
Nasser Hospital’s orthopedic unit has been damaged, limiting its ability to provide emergency medical care, according to WHO spokeswoman Tarik Jašarević during a press briefing in Geneva.
Jašarević emphasized the urgent need to prevent further deterioration of the hospital’s infrastructure, stating, “More degradation to the hospital means more lives being lost.”
Among the 36 hospitals in the war-torn enclave, only 11 are currently operational, according to the UN agency. Tragically, several patients have reportedly lost their lives during the Israeli military operation.
The hospital, a vital lifeline for critically ill patients and a refuge for displaced civilians from across the Gaza Strip, remains under severe strain.
Jašarević expressed WHO’s urgent need for access to the complex, stating, “We really need to get there to bring fuel so the hospital can continue to function and those patients who are still there can continue to receive medical care.” He stressed the importance of assessing patient conditions and facilitating their safe transfer to other facilities.
Meanwhile, widespread Israeli bombardment from air, land, and sea continues to cause civilian casualties, displacement, and infrastructure damage across Gaza, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Intensified airstrikes on Rafah and indications of a ground operation have prompted an influx of displaced people toward the town of Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, with over half of Gaza’s population sheltering in Rafah, which accounts for just one-fifth of the enclave’s total area.
The situation is particularly dire for pregnant women, new mothers, and newborns. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) highlighted the overwhelming challenges faced by the Al-Helal Al-Emirati Maternity Hospital in Rafah, which is struggling to provide adequate care amid the ongoing crisis.
The UNFPA warned that further attacks could result in devastating consequences, with thousands more at risk of succumbing to violence, hunger, disease, and lack of access to essential services.
Urgent calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the safe release of all hostages have been reiterated by humanitarian agencies and independent committees monitoring human rights violations. These calls include pleas for Israel to allow the provision of crucial medical supplies and personnel to address the urgent needs of women and girls, including sexual and reproductive health services, hygiene products, and humanitarian assistance.
