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The United Nations Human Rights Office has raised alarms that Israeli attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities in Gaza have pushed the region’s medical system to the brink of collapse. The UN also highlighted potential violations of international law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In a new report, the UN outlined a concerning pattern where Israeli forces have reportedly struck, besieged, and forcibly evacuated hospitals, leading to fatalities among patients and medical staff. The report acknowledged Israel’s claims that hospitals were used by Palestinian armed groups but described the evidence as “vague.”
The Israeli military has not commented on the report but has previously stated that its operations comply with international law, emphasizing efforts to minimize civilian harm and disruptions to healthcare services.
The report comes shortly after Israeli forces raided the last operational hospital in northern Gaza, alleging it was being used as a Hamas command center.
Casualties and Destruction in Gaza
Israel’s campaign against Hamas began after the group’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry has reported over 45,500 deaths and 108,300 injuries in the region.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the attacks, stating:
“As if the relentless bombing and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza were not enough, the one sanctuary where Palestinians should have felt safe in fact became a death trap. The protection of hospitals during warfare is paramount and must be respected by all sides, at all times.”
Between October 2023 and June 2024, the UN documented at least 136 strikes on 27 of Gaza’s 38 hospitals and 12 additional medical facilities. These attacks resulted in significant casualties among healthcare workers and civilians, as well as severe damage or destruction to infrastructure.
Healthcare Under Siege
The report described a dire healthcare situation, with an 80% reduction in hospital bed capacity and the deaths of over 500 medical professionals by June 2024. Many injured individuals reportedly died while waiting for treatment, and those who received care often faced inadequate facilities and premature discharge due to overcrowding.
The UN also highlighted the impact on maternal and child health, noting increased preventable mortality rates due to limited access to prenatal and postnatal care.
War Crimes and Collective Punishment Allegations
Under international humanitarian law, hospitals and medical personnel are protected, provided they do not engage in activities harmful to the enemy. The UN stated that intentional attacks on healthcare facilities and disproportionate military actions could constitute war crimes or collective punishment.
While Israel alleges that Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes, the UN report found insufficient evidence to substantiate these claims. It noted that if such allegations were verified, it would raise concerns about Palestinian armed groups using civilians as shields, also constituting a war crime.
Israel’s Response
The Israeli government has maintained that it takes measures to protect civilians and ensure medical services, including providing evacuation routes, medical supplies, and establishing field hospitals. It accused Hamas of exploiting medical facilities for military operations, embedding infrastructure, and storing weapons within hospital premises.
Volker Türk called for independent investigations into the incidents, emphasizing Israel’s responsibility as the occupying power to ensure Palestinians have access to adequate healthcare.
