The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Sunday that a humanitarian assessment team visited Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza and observed the effects of bombardment and gunfire, describing the location as a "death zone." The organization added in a statement that the team, which was led by public health experts, logistical officers, and security personnel from various UN departments, could only spend one hour inside the hospital on Saturday due to security risks.
The team described the hospital as a "death zone," noting that the situation was "desperate," mentioning that the hospital had ceased functioning as a medical facility due to the lack of clean water, fuel, medications, and other essentials.
The WHO statement highlighted that "the effects of the bombardment and gunfire were evident. The team saw a mass grave at the hospital entrance and was informed that more than 80 individuals were buried there." It added that the entrances and courtyards of the hospital were filled with medical and solid waste, and patients and healthcare workers expressed their fears for their health and safety.
The organization reported that there are 25 healthcare workers and 291 patients, including 32 infants in critical condition, still in the hospital. The WHO and its partners are urgently working on plans for the immediate evacuation of the remaining patients, staff, and their families.
It continued, "Within the next 24 to 72 hours, while awaiting guarantees for safe passage from the parties to the conflict, arrangements are being made for additional missions to urgently transport patients" to other hospitals in southern Gaza. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the WHO's statement or the visit.
