The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern that a large-scale military operation in Rafah could lead to a bloodbath; more than 1.2 million people have sought refuge in the area, many of whom cannot move elsewhere.
The organization said, a new wave of displacement will exacerbate overcrowding and reduce access to food, water, health and sanitation, which in turn will lead to increased disease outbreaks, increased hunger and loss of more lives.
Mentioning that, only 30 per cent of Gaza’s 36 primary health care centres and 33 per cent of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are currently functioning, under repeated attacks, shortages of vital medical supplies and fuel and staff shortages.
It added that, Rafah now has three partially functioning hospitals. Once fighting rages in the vicinity of these hospitals, it will be unsafe for patients, staff and ambulances to try to reach them, and they will soon stop working and out of service.
