According to Mike Ryan, the Director of health emergencies program Health at the World Health Organization (WHO), only 17 of the 36 hospitals are providing services and these are only partially functioning. This statement was made during discussions about the deteriorating health situation in Gaza, which is currently facing intense aggression from occupying forces. Mr. Ryan participated in these discussions via an online platform.
He emphasized that hospitals are under significant threat due to physical damage, lack of fuel, limited medical supplies and loss of staff. Furthermore, he reported ongoing attacks on healthcare services within Gaza, where the health system has been severely compromised.
“The WHO has documented 1,098 attacks on healthcare facilities throughout the occupied territory of Palestine between October 7, 2023, and August 22, 2024, with 492 of these incidents occurring in Gaza,” he stated, adding that “these attacks have resulted in 747 deaths and 969 injuries.”
