The title is:<br><br>"The Brink of Collapse: Israel's Attacks on Gaza Healthcare

**The Brink of Collapse: Israel's Attacks on Gaza Healthcare**

A disturbing report by the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has revealed that Israel's pattern of attacks on hospitals in Gaza, along with associated combat, has pushed the healthcare system to the brink of total collapse. This catastrophic situation has had a devastating impact on Palestinians' access to health and medical care.

**Protected Under International Law**

Medical personnel and hospitals are specifically protected under international humanitarian law, provided they do not commit – or are not used to commit – acts harmful to the enemy. As such, attacks on these facilities are considered a serious violation of international law.

**A Sanctuary Turned Death Trap: The Devastating Consequences of Israel's Actions**

The OHCHR report highlights the dire situation in Gaza, where Palestinians should have felt safe in hospitals but instead became death traps. The protection of hospitals during warfare is paramount and must be respected by all sides at all times.

**Last-Functioning Major Healthcare Facility Taken Out of Service: A Devastating Blow to Palestinians**

Just days ago, the last functioning major healthcare facility in northern Gaza, Kama Adwan Hospital, was taken out of service after a raid by Israeli military forces. This has left the population of North Gaza with almost no access to adequate health care.

**Staff and Patients Forced to Flee or Detained: A Harrowing Reality**

Following the attack on Kama Adwan Hospital, staff and patients were forced to flee or were taken into custody, with many reports of torture and ill-treatment. The director of the hospital was taken into custody, and his fate and whereabouts remain unknown.

**Possible War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity: A Call for Accountability**

The report documents at least 136 strikes on at least 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities, claiming significant casualties among doctors, nurses, medics, and civilians. These attacks have caused significant damage, if not complete destruction of civilian infrastructure. The deliberate destruction of healthcare facilities may amount to a form of collective punishment, which would also constitute a war crime.

**Intentional Targeting of Medical Staff and Patients: A Grave Concern**

The report finds that in some instances, medical staff and patients were intentionally targeted, raising serious concerns about Israel's compliance with international law. If these allegations are verified, it would raise concerns that Palestinian armed groups were using the presence of civilians to intentionally shield themselves from attack, which would amount to a war crime.

**Impacts on Women and Children: A Humanitarian Crisis**

The impacts of Israel's military operations extend far beyond physical structures. Women, especially pregnant women, have suffered gravely due to the limited healthcare system. Many women have given birth with no or minimal pre- and post-natal care, increasing the risk of preventable maternal and child mortality.

**Mass Graves Found at Al Shifa Medical Complex: A Gruesome Discovery**

The Israeli military's first major operation against a hospital involved Al Shifa Medical Complex in November 2023. It raided the facility again on January 10, killing at least 12 people, including a journalist and several internally displaced persons (IDPs). Reportedly, some of the bodies found were patients who had been treated at the hospital.

**A Disputatious Situation: The Need for Action**

The situation in Gaza is disputatious, to say the least. The OHCHR report highlights the dire need for independent, thorough, and transparent investigations into these incidents, as well as full accountability for all violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

**Call to Action: Ensuring Access to Healthcare**

It is imperative that Israel, as the occupying power, ensures and facilitates access to adequate healthcare for the Palestinian population. Future recovery and reconstruction efforts must prioritize the restoration of medical capacity which has been destroyed over the last 14 months of intense conflict.

In conclusion, Israel's attacks on Gaza healthcare have pushed the system to the brink of collapse, leaving Palestinians with limited access to medical care. It is essential that we acknowledge this disputatious situation and work towards a solution that prioritizes the protection of civilians, particularly women and children.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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