UNRWA Alarms over 1,000 Attacks on Health Facilities in GazaUNRWA Alarms over 1,000 Attacks on Health Facilities in Gaza The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has expressed grave concern over the ongoing attacks on health facilities in the occupied Palestinian territory. According to the agency, there have been over 1,000 such attacks documented by the World Health Organization (WHO). Gaza Health System Crippled In the besieged Gaza Strip, the situation is particularly dire. Of UNRWA’s 26 health centers in Gaza, only 10 remain operational. UNRWA staff continue to work tirelessly to provide medical care to the population despite the risks. Attacks on Schools UN Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini also highlighted the alarming number of attacks on schools, including eight in the past ten days. Six of these schools were UNRWA facilities. The war, he said, has “robbed the girls and boys in Gaza of their childhood and education.” Disregard for International Law Lazzarini condemned the ongoing disregard for international humanitarian law in Gaza. He stressed that “all the rules of war have been violated” and that “losing our common humanity must not become the new norm.” Staggering Death Toll The Israeli assault on Gaza has resulted in a staggering death toll. The Gaza Ministry of Health reports 38,848 Palestinians have been killed and 89,459 wounded. At least 11,000 people are missing and presumed dead. Acute Famine and Displacement The war has also caused widespread famine, particularly in northern Gaza. Many Palestinians, especially children, have died from malnutrition. The Israeli aggression has also led to the forced displacement of nearly two million people from their homes. Call for Immediate Ceasefire The Palestine Chronicle strongly condemns the Israeli attacks on health facilities and schools. We call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people. The international community must act swiftly to protect civilians and ensure accountability for the perpetrators of these atrocities.
A UN health center in Gaza. (Photo: via UNRWA TW page)
By the staff of Palestine Chronicle 
“The blatant and ongoing disregard for international humanitarian law continues unabated. All the rules of war have been violated in Gaza.”
There have been more than 1,000 attacks on health facilities in occupied Palestinian territory, while only 10 of the 26 UN health centres in Gaza are operational, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said.
“More than 1,000 attacks on health facilities in occupied Palestinian territory have been documented by @WHO (World Health Organization)”, UNRWA Posted on X on Thursday.
It added: “In Gaza, only 10 of UNRWA’s 26 health centres are operational,” adding that UNRWA teams “continue to risk their lives every day to provide medical care to families.”
More than 1,000 attacks on health care facilities in the occupied Palestinian territory have been documented by @WHO
In #Gaza only 10 out of 26 @UNRWA Health centers are operational. Our teams are still risking their lives every day to provide medical care to families, but have a #Ceasefire photo.twitter.com/j55RznBjwq
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) July 18, 2024
‘Robbed of childhood’
Meanwhile, UN Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said At least eight schools have been hit in the past ten days, including six UNRWA schools.
The war, he said, “robbed the girls and boys in Gaza of their childhood and education.”
“The blatant and constant disregard for international humanitarian law continues unabated. All the rules of war have been violated in Gaza,” Lazzarini stressed. “Losing our common humanity must not become the new norm.”
An almost daily occurrence.
At least eight schools have been hit in the past ten days, including six @UNRWA schools.The war robbed the girls and boys in #Gaza of their youth and education.
Schools must never be used for combat or military purposes by any party to the conflict. photo.twitter.com/nJE5hfy9df
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) July 17, 2024
Staggering death toll
Israel is currently on trial before the International Court of Justice for genocide against the Palestinians and has been waging a devastating war on Gaza since October 7.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, 38,848 Palestinians have been killed and 89,459 wounded. In addition, at least 11,000 people are missing, presumed dead under the rubble of their homes across the Strip.
Israel reports that 1,200 soldiers and civilians were killed during the Al-Aqsa Flooding Operation on October 7. Israeli media published reports indicating that many Israelis were killed by “friendly fire” that day.
‘Collective punishment’ – Lavrov condemns Israeli actions in Gaza
According to Palestinian and international organizations, most of the dead and injured are women and children.
The Israeli war has led to acute famine, especially in northern Gaza, which has killed many Palestinians, especially children.
The Israeli aggression has also led to the forced displacement of nearly two million people from across the Gaza Strip. The vast majority of the displaced have been forced to relocate to the densely populated southern city of Rafah, near the border with Egypt. This is the largest mass exodus from Palestine since the Nakba of 1948.
Later in the war, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians moved from the south to central Gaza in search of safety.
(The Palestine Chronicle)
