MOH-Gaza statement: Israel prevents International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) movement to health facilities in Gaza Strip.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is being denied permission by Israel to access and assess health facilities, the COVID-19 vaccination clinic and testing centre, and other facilities that were damaged by Israeli strikes. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip requested the ICRC to visit the health facilities in Gaza, to evaluate the humanitarian crisis, and to assess critical shortages in medications and supplies. This includes an examination of the Gaza health facilities, COVID-19 vaccination clinic and testing center that were severely damaged by bombing surrounding of the Ministry of Health’s headquarter on May 15 and 17.
Permission to access these areas has not been granted by Israel to the representatives of the ICRC office. As such, the humanitarian response to this crisis will be delayed.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza asks that humanitarian organizations be permitted to evaluate the damage to the health facilities in Gaza and to respond to the humanitarian crisis.