Over one-third of hospitals in Gaza shut: UN Office for OCHA

GAZA: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that one-third of hospitals in Gaza (12 of 35) and nearly two-thirds of primary healthcare clinics (46 of 72) have already shut down due lack of fuel or damage from hostilities.

In retaliation to the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the Jewish nation has cut off electricity supply to Gaza, rendering hospitals and water facilities dependent on backup generators run by fuel.

The UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA), by far the largest humanitarian provider in Gaza, warned that unless fuel is allowed into Gaza immediately, the agency will be forced to halt all operations as of Wednesday night.

As of Monday, the World Health Organization has documented 72 attacks on health care in the Gaza Strip that have resulted in 16 fatalities and 30 injuries of health care workers on duty.

The attacks have affected 34 health care facilities, including 19 hospitals damaged, and 24 ambulances.

Israel’s halt of its electricity and fuel supply to Gaza has also led to the shutdown of the enclave’s sole power plant, forcing essential service infrastructure to rely on backup generators, which are limited by the scarcity of fuel.

As of Wednesday, the cumulative number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the conflict erupted has increased 5,791, of whom 68 per cent are children and women, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave.

About 1,550 people, including 870 children, have been reported missing and may still be under the rubble. (IANS)

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