GENEVA:
A United Nations report released Tuesday revealed that Israeli airstrikes on and around Gaza’s hospitals have pushed the region’s healthcare system to the brink of total collapse. The report highlights serious concerns about Israel’s adherence to international law, particularly regarding its repeated attacks on medical facilities.
The UN Human Rights Office detailed the period from October 7, 2023, to June 30, 2024, during which at least 136 attacks targeted 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities, resulting in significant casualties among healthcare workers and severe damage to civilian infrastructure. These strikes, the UN states, have crippled the access to medical care for Palestinians.
International humanitarian law mandates the protection of medical personnel and facilities during conflict, but the UN report noted that Israel’s claims that Gaza hospitals were used for military purposes were vague and lacked sufficient evidence. It called these allegations “broad” and occasionally contradictory.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk described Gaza’s hospitals as a “death trap” where, instead of providing refuge, the healthcare facilities have become perilous zones amidst the ongoing conflict. He stressed the importance of respecting hospital protections during warfare, a principle that must be upheld by all parties involved.
The conflict, sparked by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has caused immense suffering. Israel’s retaliatory military actions have resulted in over 45,500 deaths in Gaza, most of them civilians. The UN urged for independent and credible investigations into the attacks, given the limitations of Israel’s internal judicial system in addressing military conduct.
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