The World Health Organisation, WHO, condemns what they call an "escalating health crisis" on the occupied West Bank.
Increased restrictions, violence, and attacks on health infrastructure are hindering access to healthcare more and more.
In a statement, the organisation demands "immediate and active protection of civilians and healthcare on the West Bank".
Since the extremist group Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel in October, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza, violence has also increased on the West Bank. According to WHO, 521 Palestinians, including 126 children, have been killed on the West Bank since 7 October.
Palestinian officials, however, claim that the figure is higher: according to them, at least 545 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers since the war broke out. Moreover, over 5,200 people have been injured, according to WHO.
Furthermore, attacks on healthcare facilities, including ambulances and hospitals, have become more frequent. Between 7 October and 28 May, 480 such attacks have occurred on the West Bank, according to WHO. At the same time, closed border crossings, growing uncertainty, and closures of entire communities are restricting movement on the West Bank more and more – which also makes it harder to access healthcare.
Moreover, WHO emphasizes that the long-standing economic crisis means that healthcare personnel have only received half their salary for nearly a year and that many essential medicines are lacking.
