WHO documents 171 attacks on health care in occupied Palestinian territory since Oct. 7

GENEVA

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said it has documented 171 attacks against health care in the occupied Palestinian territory between Oct. 7 and 24, as the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas continues.

The WHO office in the occupied Palestinian territory said on X that 493 people, including 16 health workers on duty, were killed in these attacks.

"Health care and civilians must be protected now," it urged.

According to the UN health agency, 96 of these attacks occurred in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, while 75 in the Gaza Strip.

The majority of the killings were in the Gaza Strip with 491, including those who lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. Israel denied responsibility for the air raid.

Besides, as many as 387 people got injured, and 34 health facilities were affected in the attacks.

The conflict in Gaza began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless air campaign against the Gaza Strip.

At least 6,546 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while more than 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, according to officials.

Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been running out of food, water, medicines and fuel, and recent aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday reiterated his call for a humanitarian cease-fire. “To ease suffering, make the delivery of aid easier & safer, and facilitate the release of hostages, I reiterate my appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” he said on X.

“I salute my UN colleagues & humanitarian partners in Gaza risking their lives to provide aid to those in need.”