Situation in the occupied Palestinian territory
In the occupied Palestinian territory, where a 16-year blockade has left the Gaza Strip’s health system severely under-resourced, escalating hostilities with Israel that began on 7 October 2023 are compounding an already dire situation. Power outages and shortages of medicines and health supplies in Gaza Strip hospitals are hindering the delivery of life-saving medical care. 11 attacks on health care recorded by WHO in the first 36 hours of the escalating violence have resulted in the deaths of 6 health workers and injuries to a further 4 health personnel, and affected 9 ambulances and 6 health facilities. There is an urgent need to establish a humanitarian corridor for unimpeded, life-saving patient referrals and movement of humanitarian personnel and essential health supplies.