Two independent UN experts condemned the massive destruction and killing that occurred at Al-Shifa Hospital after a two-week siege. They urged UN member states to use all their powers to stop “the ongoing genocide in Gaza.”
The two experts are Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, and Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right to the enjoyment of the highest standards of physical and mental health.
In a statement issued today, Wednesday, the two independent experts said, “We are horrified by the massacre committed by Israeli forces against civilian women and children in the Gaza Strip. The world is witnessing the first genocide shown to the world in real time by its victims.”
The two experts added that following the two-week siege and destruction of Al-Shifa Hospital, where health workers and patients were among the dead, “we urge UN member states to implement all possible diplomatic, political and economic measures, and legal processes, in order to stop this horror.”
They noted that it is still not possible to fully document the extent of these atrocities due to their scale and seriousness, and that it is clear that they represent the most horrific attack on Gaza’s hospitals.
Clear message
The two experts stressed that besieging and destroying a hospital and killing health workers, the sick, the wounded, and the people protecting them are prohibited under international law, adding that allowing this violence to occur has sent a clear message to the world and the international community that the people of Gaza do not have the right to health and critical health determinants. sufficient for their existence.
They explained that Al-Shifa Hospital was the largest health care provider in Gaza, and that the World Health Organization described its destruction as “ripping out the heart of the health system.” They said that by destroying Al-Shifa Hospital, Israel is depriving those who desperately need health care.
The two experts added that at this stage, “we are no longer discussing the availability, accessibility, acceptability, quality and dignity of healthcare, but rather the destruction of any infrastructure capable of providing basic first aid.”
They noted that the deliberate destruction of Gaza’s health infrastructure created conditions designed to destroy an afflicted and traumatized population.
A call for immediate action
The two human rights experts reported that among the patients in the Shifa Hospital complex were people suffering from acute and chronic medical conditions, in addition to the wounded “with wounds resulting from various military arsenals,” which created a complex medical situation and the inability to manage the subsequent and devastating complications of crushed tissue or organ injuries. , repair fractures or dislocations, or control bleeding.
They added that the lack of appropriate and timely care has led to a complete inability to provide the necessary medical care, with many suffering trauma and disability and eventually dying from their injuries.
“In this unprecedented and tragic time,” the two experts called on member states to take immediate action to protect, promote and respect the right to life, health and dignity of those affected by loss and trauma, through effective access to humanitarian assistance, and protecting the remaining health infrastructure and health workers.
They added that there is an urgent need for food, water, shelter, fuel, emergency health care, psychosocial support and psychological first aid.
The two experts concluded their statement by saying, “The strategies adopted by world leaders and member states have failed to put an end to this continuing horrific and horrific violence.”
