The World Health Organization (WHO) cautioned on Friday that an Israeli military incursion into Gaza's southern city of Rafah could result in a "bloodbath," raising concerns for the 1.2 million people seeking refuge there.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to eliminate remaining militants in Rafah, where much of Gaza's population has sought shelter during nearly seven months of conflict.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concerns about the situation in Rafah. "WHO is deeply concerned that a full-scale military operation in Rafah, Gaza, could lead to a bloodbath, and further weaken an already broken health system," Tedros stated.
The WHO announced contingency plans in response to the potential crisis but cautioned that the existing health system in Rafah would struggle to cope with a surge in casualties. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the Palestinian territories, emphasized the limitations of the contingency efforts, stating that they would not be sufficient to prevent significant additional casualties resulting from a military operation, reported AFP.
Most of Gaza's health facilities have already been damaged or destroyed due to heavy Israeli bombardment. The UN health agency reported that only a fraction of the hospitals and primary health facilities in Gaza are currently operational.
In anticipation of intensified hostilities, the WHO is working to restore and bolster health services in the region. Efforts include restoring south Gaza's largest hospital, the Nasser Medical Complex, and establishing additional medical sites.
Peeperkorn underscored the vulnerability of Gaza's health system to the potential devastation caused by a military incursion in Rafah, warning of the likelihood of displacement, overcrowding, limited access to essential resources, and disease outbreaks.
The WHO called for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid into and across Gaza. Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, echoed concerns about the impact of a military operation, stating that it could lead to catastrophic consequences for humanitarian efforts already underway in Gaza.