23
 13  0
 
 44
gaza
PRESS RELEASE,  MINISTRY OF HEALTH GAZA
July 21, 2014
The Ministry of Health Gaza strongly condemns today’s attacks on health facilities and personnel by the Israeli occupation forces, and expresses its deep concern at the serious implications for patients, health personnel and provision of critical medical care.
Israeli tanks attacked Al Aqsa hospital in Deir Al Balah three times this afternoon, killing five patients and doctors, and injuring more than 70.
The third and fourth floors, housing the emergency department, orthopaedic department, surgical department, and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were destroyed. Operating theatres had to cease work because of the lack of oxygen.
 Patients are being evacuated to the already over-stretched Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, and the European Gaza Hospital between Rafah and Khan Younes, which has also been damaged by Israeli fire.
 “At a time when hospitals are overwhelmed with patients because of the brutal Israeli offensive, it is vital that these facilities be protected and medical staff be allowed to provide urgent medical, surgical and obstetric care to patients without any risk,” said Dr Medhat Abbas, Director of Al Aqsa Hospital.
 Today’s atrocity is the latest in a series of Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza, in clear breach of the Geneva Convention.
The European Gaza Hospital was struck on July 9, damaging the ICU and the paediatric unit, and injuring a nurse. The Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital was struck by rockets several times, eventually forcing the evacuation of 17 high-dependency patients amid fire and smoke on July 17.
Beit Hanoun hospital was hit on July 18 and 19, the first strikes targeting an area containing a children’s ward, reception area, and doctors’ offices. The next day ten shells were fired around it, injuring many and causing extensive damage in the area.
 Six Primary Health Care clinics and four ambulances have been damaged, 13 health facilities closed, 20 health personnel injured, and a pharmacist and a paramedic have been killed, in addition to today’s casualties.
We deplore the escalating violence against Gazan civilians and civilian infrastructure, and demand that the Israeli occupation respect their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, health facilities and health professionals.
We note that attacks against health facilities can be considered war crimes under international law, and call upon the international community and the United Nations to take immediate action to prevent further such outrages against the Gazan citizenry by the Israeli occupation.

 23
 13  0
 
 44
Articles by: Global Research News
Disclaimer: The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). The Centre for Research on Globalization will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article. The Center of Research on Globalization grants permission to cross-post original Global Research articles on community internet sites as long as the text & title are not modified. The source and the author's copyright must be displayed. For publication of Global Research articles in print or other forms including commercial internet sites, contact: publications@globalresearch.ca
www.globalresearch.ca contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available to our readers under the provisions of "fair use" in an effort to advance a better understanding of political, economic and social issues. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving it for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material for purposes other than "fair use" you must request permission from the copyright owner.
For media inquiries: publications@globalresearch.ca