A recent United Nations report has drawn global attention to what it describes as war crimes committed by Israel through its attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, steered by Navi Pillay, has released a comprehensive analysis portraying these actions as deliberate and destructive, far beyond collateral damage. The report underlines that these attacks are not merely breaches of conduct but calculated efforts that target the fundamental human right to health, with especially dire consequences for children and other vulnerable populations. The ramifications of such actions extend to a significant collapse in Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, creating an environmental calamity that is poised to last for years.
Collapse of Healthcare System
One of the critical points of the UN report is the deep collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system, severely exacerbated by relentless Israeli military actions. The crisis affects all aspects of healthcare, from resource availability to the physical and mental health of healthcare professionals. For instance, patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer have gone without essential treatments, resulting in a rise in preventable deaths. Statistics in the report are alarming: in the first nine months of the conflict, 500 medical personnel were killed by Israeli forces, 113 ambulances were attacked, and over 61 were damaged. These orchestrated assaults included 498 targeted attacks on healthcare facilities, leading to 747 deaths and 969 injuries. This massive toll has crippled 110 healthcare facilities, bringing them to a standstill and leaving the population without basic medical services.
The impact went beyond physical damage. By mid-July, 20 out of Gaza’s 67 primary healthcare facilities had ceased function
