Dr. Youssef Abu Al-Rish briefs ICRC Director-General on the damage to the health system as a result of the recent Israeli attacks
Deputy Ministry of Health received Dr. Yousef Abu Al-Rish, met with a high-level delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) represented by ICRC’s Director-General Robert Mardini, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
Dr. Abu Al-Rish informed the delegation of the damage to the health facilities as a result of the recent Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.
The delegation included the Regional Director for the Near and Middle East, Fabrizio Carboni, and the head of the ICRC delegation in Palestine, Daniel Duvilard.
Dr. Youssef said that the Israeli warplanes targeted 24 health facilities and their surroundings, which caused damage, death, and serious injuries to the operating health personnel.
Dr. Abu Al-Rish elaborated that Ministry’s headquarters, in which all health administrative management affairs are managed, was massively damaged by targeting its surrounding, in addition to the destruction of the main primary health care center in Gaza, which led to the suspension of all provided health services.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abu Al-Rish stressed the need to find mechanisms to ensure the provision of safe health services to those who need them anytime and in a safe environment, following international conventions and laws.
Dr. Abu Al-Rish added that health personnel exerted their efforts and took great risks as a result of the increased Israeli targeting of medical staff and the almost absent coordination and protection mechanisms, calling for the need to put an end to the Israeli attacks on health facilities.
