Gaza Conflict: Hostages Endure Unrelenting Violence, Medical Facilities Overwhelmed
The Gaza Strip has been embroiled in a devastating conflict, with hostages facing unimaginable violence and medical facilities struggling to cope with the influx of wounded civilians. A recent report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel sheds light on the dire situation, highlighting the attacks on medical facilities and personnel, as well as the treatment of detainees and hostages ¹.
Between October 2023 and July 2024, Israeli security forces carried out 498 attacks on healthcare facilities in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 747 deaths and 969 injuries. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 78% of these attacks involved military force, while 35% involved obstruction of access, and 9% involved militarized search and detention operations ¹.
The Commission investigated attacks on four hospitals in different areas of the Gaza Strip, including the Nasr Medical Complex, Shifa' Hospital, Awdah Hospital, and the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital. The report found that Israeli security forces attacked these facilities in a similar manner, suggesting the existence of operational plans and procedures for attacking healthcare facilities ¹.
The report also documents the treatment of detainees and hostages, including allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and forced labor. The Commission received reports of detainees being held in inhumane conditions, with inadequate access to food, water, and medical care ¹.
The report highlights the case of a Palestinian detainee who was allegedly shot and killed by Israeli security forces after being ordered to notify people to evacuate a hospital. The Commission also documented the case of a hospital director who was arrested and detained by Israeli security forces ¹.
The conflict has also had a devastating impact on reproductive health care in Gaza. The report notes that direct attacks on healthcare facilities have affected approximately 540,000 women and girls of reproductive age. Only two of the 12 partially functioning hospitals offering sexual and reproductive health care were able to provide these services in April ¹.
The Commission documented unsafe conditions for women giving birth in hospitals, including a lack of specialized personnel, medication, and equipment. Medical professionals noted that it was extremely challenging to manage patients' pain and prevent infections, as hospitals were often lacking adequate supplies ¹.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with hostages facing unimaginable violence and medical facilities struggling to cope with the influx of wounded civilians. The international community must take immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ensure that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law are held accountable.
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