UNFPA statement on the dire situation of hospitals in Gaza

UNFPA vehemently condemns the reported attacks on or around Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest healthcare facility, as well as those on other health facilities across Gaza which are already strained to breaking point.

Deeply troubling reports from Al-Shifa reveal a dire situation where thousands of injured and displaced civilians find themselves trapped within the hospital grounds. We are also deeply concerned about reports that the hospital has run out of fuel today, severely compounding an already horrific situation​. Without fuel, the hospital risks being inoperable and unable to run lifesaving equipment such as incubators for newborns.

Ongoing fighting and the lack of fuel are putting at risk the lives of health workers, patients and some of the most vulnerable people in Gaza, many of whom have been sheltering at Al Shifa, including women, children, the elderly and disabled. They, and critically ill patients, have nowhere safe to go, with reports of ambulances being unable to leave the grounds. There are also reports of fighting around a number of other hospitals.

Humanity must prevail. UNFPA reiterates the Secretary-General's call for a humanitarian ceasefire. International humanitarian law must be upheld by all parties. We repeat: Hospitals, health workers and civilians must never be targets.