By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - At least 94,000 liters of fuel is required daily to keep critical functions running at Gaza’s 12 major hospitals, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
Addressing a UN press briefing in Geneva via a video link, Richard Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative in occupied Palestinian territory, warned that the acute shortage of fuel and medical supplies puts at risk 1,000 patients in need of kidney dialysis, 130 premature babies in incubators, 2,000 cancer patients, and patients in ICUs, ventilators and receiving machine-assisted care.
"Maternal and neonatal health is worsening as acute fuel crisis putting babies at risk, deteriorating food security status," Peeperkorn said.
Noting that there are some 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza, he said under these conditions, an average of 183 births per day are happening,
Due to the prevention of entry or exit of humanitarian supplies and patients, he said an average of 95 patients are unable to access specialized health care outside Gaza daily.
The representative said that 64% of primary health care clinics are already not functioning and 64% of primary health care clinics run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees are closed.
He said there have been 75 confirmed attacks on health care in Gaza since Oct. 7, killing 16 health workers on duty and injuring 30.
Peeperkorn urged for a sustained supply of fuel, food, water, and medical supplies to Gaza, underlining the need for a safe passage for supplies within Gaza, and a humanitarian cease-fire.
He also called for the reversal of Israel’s evacuation order for Palestinians to leave their homes in northern Gaza and to move south.
The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood – a multi-pronged surprise attack on Oct. 7 that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.
Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Nearly 8,500 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,028 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.