WHO condemns Israel for blocking medical aid to Northern Gaza amid ongoing conflict
The World Health Organization (WHO) says Israel has blocked two missions from entering the war-ravaged northern Gaza amid incessant siege and attacks, as a UN inquiry has found that the regime has been deliberately targeting health system in the besieged strip.
On Thursday, the WHO said the missions, which attempted to carry out medical evacuations of critical patients and deliver life-saving fuel, blood units, and medical supplies, were forced to turn back because of Israeli checkpoints and other impediments.
A total of seven similar missions were denied or impeded this week, the UN agency said.
That came as Israeli forces have been conducting a major offensive in Jabalia refugee camp, which is under days-long siege, and the nearby towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza since earlier this week.
READ ALSO: Saudi, UAE, Qatar seal airspace to Israel for anti-Iran move
The Israeli military ordered residents of Jabalia and nearby areas to relocate to the so-called “humanitarian zones” designated by Israel in southern Gaza, but Palestinian and UN officials say there are no safe places in the densely populated strip.
The health officials also said the Israeli military on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of Indonesian, Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan hospitals, giving patients and medics 24 hours to leave the hospitals or risk being stormed as happened earlier in the attack on Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on Israel to “stop evacuation orders, protect hospitals”, and “facilitate humanitarian missions”.
“North Gaza has barely any health services left. People have nowhere to go,” he said Thursday, calling for ceasefire.
“All people trapped in this conflict need peace.”
 says){kind=link}