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UN Reports 136 Israeli Strikes on 27 Gaza Hospitals and 12 Facilities Push Healthcare to Brink of Collapse

Dec 31, 2024, 11:56 AM

The United Nations has reported that Israel's attacks on hospitals in Gaza have pushed the region's healthcare system to the brink of total collapse, severely impacting Palestinians' access to medical care. The UN Human Rights Office documented 136 strikes on at least 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities from October 12, 2023, to June 30, 2024. These attacks have resulted in significant casualties among medical staff and civilians, and have caused extensive damage to healthcare infrastructure. The UN has criticized Israel's claims that these hospitals were used by Palestinian armed groups for military purposes as vague and lacking substantiation. The report also highlighted that the Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last major medical facility in northern Gaza, was recently raided by Israeli forces, leading to its evacuation and the arrest of its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, emphasized the need for independent investigations into these incidents and stressed the importance of protecting hospitals during warfare.