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GENEVA (7 December 2023) \u2013 Israel has declared an \u2018unrelenting war\u2019 on the health system in Gaza, a Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ expert said today, after hospitals, including one dedicated to treating children, were hit by airstrikes in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
Several times this week, Israeli forces reportedly hit the vicinity of the Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe practice of medicine is under attack,\u201d said Tlaleng Mofokeng, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Special Rapporteur on the right to health. \u201cAs a practicing medical doctor, I cannot fathom what my Gazan colleagues are enduring. They are working while their colleagues and loved ones are under attack. Many have been killed while treating their patients,\u201d Mofokeng said.<\/p>\n
At least 364 attacks on healthcare services have been recorded in the occupied Palestinian territory since 7 October 2023, resulting in at least 553 people killed and 729 injured. More than 50 health facilities and 190 ambulances have also been affected.<\/p>\n
Other healthcare workers have been injured, arrested, and detained, including the General Director of Gaza\u2019s biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, who was arrested on 23 November. His whereabouts are unknown. Al-Indonesi hospital has reportedly been bombed 35 times since 28 October.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe healthcare infrastructure in the Gaza strip has been completely obliterated,\u201d the Special Rapporteur said.<\/p>\n
At least five newborn babies at the Al Shifa hospital died before a planned evacuation could take place. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ expert said there has also been an increase in communicable diseases, respiratory illnesses and diarrhea, and an increased risk of child pneumonia, which will only worsen as this war continues into the winter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in the darkest time for the right to health in our lifetimes,\u201d Mofokeng said.<\/p>\n
She pointed to an \u201cimmeasurable\u201d number of violations of the special protection afforded to civilians, children, and medical personnel under international humanitarian law, alongside widespread violations of international human rights law.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have descended into depths from which we must quickly emerge,\u201d she said. \u201cFor people to have access to quality healthcare, they must have access to healthcare workers, and those healthcare workers must be safe and free to provide care.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a child survivor of apartheid, I understand all too well the trauma that children and people of Gaza will carry with them, not only from the current violence, but from the displacement and military occupation that they, and generations of their families, have endured,\u201d Mofokeng said.<\/p>\n
She underscored the need to prevent conflict and address root causes. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ expert reiterated her call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the occupation of Palestinian territory.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe bear witness to a shameful war on healthcare workers. This war is raging because of a lack of political leadership. End the war on Gaza, and end it now,\u201d the expert said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ms. Tlaleng Mofokeng<\/strong>,\u00a0Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health<\/a>.<\/p>\n Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.\u00a0Special Procedures<\/a>, the largest body of independent experts in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council\u2019s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.<\/p>\n For more information and media requests, please contact: Allison Thomas-McPhee (allison.thomas-mcphee@un.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n For media enquiries regarding other Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ independent experts, please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org<\/a>) and Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n Follow news related to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ\u2019s independent human rights experts on\u00a0Twitter<\/strong>\u00a0@Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ_SPExperts<\/a>.
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