WHO Warns Israel's Military Operations In South Gaza Threatens To Break Access To Health Services For Civilians

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that Israeli military ground operations in southern Gaza could cost thousands of Palestinians health services.

Israel is known to have expanded its military operations to the southern region after a ceasefire with the militant group Hamas ended last week, while operations in northern Gaza continued.

"Increasing military ground operations in southern Gaza, particularly in Khan Younis, will most likely cut off thousands of people's access to health services, particularly access to Nasser Medical Complex and European Gaza Hospital, two major hospitals in southern Gaza, as the number of injured and sick victims increases," the WHO said in a statement. a statement, reported CNN December 5.

The WHO said only 18 of the 36 hospitals were still functioning in Gaza, but provided only part of the service, adding 12 hospitals operating in the southern region were "backbones of the health system."

"Gaza is unable to lose another hospital as health needs continue to rise," said a WHO statement, calling on Israel to take the necessary measures to protect civilians and hospital infrastructure.

A WHO team that recently visited Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis said his condition was a "big disaster."

"Hospital buildings and courtyards are very packed with patients and refugees seeking refuge," the statement said.

"The emergency room is full of patients. Many patients are being treated on the floor."

As previously reported, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the expansion of its troops' ground operations in Gaza on Sunday.

"IDF continues and expands ground operations against Hamas strongholds throughout the Gaza Strip," IDF spokesman Laksama Muda Daniel

Meanwhile, Israeli Chief of Staff Defense Forces (IDF) Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi confirmed that his forces were starting to operate in southern Gaza, as ground operations north of the enclave continued.

Citing The Times of Israel, he confirmed operations in the southern region, as powerful as operations carried out in the northern region.

"We have the ability to do so in the most comprehensive way, and just as we did it with strength and overall north of the Gaza Strip, we are also doing it now in the south of the Gaza Strip, and we are also continuing it. to deepen achievements in the north of the Gaza Strip," said Lt. Gen. Halevi.