By Blessing Chinagorom
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has expressed his concerns over the horrible situation and the dramatic loss of life in several hospitals in Gaza, according to the statement, urged immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the name of humanity.
During a press briefing on Tuesday 14th November 2023, the UN spokesman while giving an update on the situation in Gaza said, according to the granular information received from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The Spokesman said, “All but one of the hospitals in Gaza City and northern Gaza are reportedly out of service, as of yesterday, and that is due to the lack of power, medical items, oxygen, food and water, compounded by bombardments and fighting in their vicinities of those health centres.
He added that, “Al Ahli Hospital, in Gaza City, which currently accommodates over 500 patients, is the sole medical facility able to receive patients, amid increasing shortages and challenges.
“Hospitals and medical personnel are specifically protected under international humanitarian law, and all parties to the conflict must ensure their protection.
“And they must not be the object of combat. Any military operation around or within hospitals must take steps to spare and protect the patients, medical staff and other civilians”.
Furthermore, the spokesman stated that a total of 115 trucks carrying food, medicines, health supplies, bottled water, blankets, tents and hygiene products crossed from Egypt into Gaza yesterday. This brings the number of trucks that have entered Gaza since 21 [October] to 1,096.
He said the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warned on yesterday that its humanitarian operations, including the distribution of aid entering through the Rafah crossing, are expected to halt within the next 48 hours, following the total depletion of its fuel reserves.
“In this context, two primary water distribution contractors working for the agency in the south ceased operations yesterday, leaving 200,000 people without access to potable water.
“Moreso, humanitarian organizations are facing severe communication breakdowns, which is also linked to the fuel depletion, as the cell tower cannot work.
“Hundreds of thousands of people who are either unwilling or unable to move to the south remain in the north, amid intensified hostilities. They are struggling to secure the minimum amount of water and food for survival.
“The consumption of water from unsafe sources raises serious concerns about dehydration and waterborne diseases. The World Food Programme (WFP) has expressed its concern about the risks of malnutrition and starvation”, the spokesperson added.