The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed on Sunday that approximately 500 healthcare workers have been killed and hundreds injured since the onset of the Israeli offensive on Gaza, which began on October 7.
The ministry also reported that more than 310 individuals have been detained and 130 ambulances destroyed in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
The statement highlighted that the Israeli forces’ deliberate targeting of medical infrastructure has severely hindered citizens’ access to essential healthcare services. Additionally, attacks on health facilities and personnel in the West Bank have surpassed 340 incidents.
The ministry further noted that poor water and sanitation conditions, compounded by overcrowding, have led to an increase in preventable diseases and premature deaths.
Gaza is facing a public health disaster due to unsafe water resources and a lack of basic hygiene necessities for over 1.7 million forcibly displaced individuals.
There is a critical shortage of medical staff and supplies, including anaesthesia and antibiotics, making it extremely difficult for healthcare workers to save lives. The ministry has called for unrestricted entry of humanitarian supplies to address the acute shortages and assist in the evacuation of the injured for life-saving medical treatment.
Since the Israeli military campaign began on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have continued their aggression by land, sea, and air, resulting in the deaths of 39,790 Palestinians and injuries to 91,702 others.
Thousands of victims remain under rubble and on the streets, inaccessible to ambulance and civil defense crews, as reported by WAFA.
