The World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced grave concerns about the deteriorating health crisis in the occupied West Bank. In an urgent statement, the WHO called for the immediate protection of civilians and healthcare services in the Palestinian territory.

Since the onset of the Gaza war, over 520 Palestinians, including 124 children, have been killed, and another 5,200, including about 800 children, have been injured in the West Bank. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for international humanitarian law to be respected, asserting that the sanctity of healthcare must be observed at all times.

"WHO calls for the immediate and active protection of civilians and health care in the West Bank," Tedros said on X.

The WHO reported that Israel has attacked 480 healthcare facilities in the West Bank since late May. These attacks, along with increased movement restrictions and obstructions to healthcare access imposed by Israel, have exacerbated the crisis. The regime has also detained health workers, arbitrarily closed checkpoints, and laid siege to entire towns and communities.

Israel’s aggressive military campaign against the Gaza Strip has involved targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship following the Palestinian resistance movements' surprise attack, Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, on October 7. Palestine reports that at least 37,232 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and more than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the conflict.

In the West Bank, Israel’s actions have severely impacted the healthcare system, highlighting the need for international intervention to ensure the protection of civilians and healthcare services amidst ongoing hostilities.

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