At least 94,000 liters of fuel needed daily to keep critical functions running at major Gaza hospitals: WHO

GENEVA (AA) – At least 94,000 liters of fuel is required daily to keep critical functions running at Gaza’s 12 major hospitals, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

Addressing a UN press briefing in Geneva via a video link, Richard Peeperkorn, the WHO’s representative in occupied Palestinian territory, warned that the acute shortage of fuel and medical supplies puts at risk 1,000 patients in need of kidney dialysis, 130 premature babies in incubators, 2,000 cancer patients, and patients in ICUs, ventilators and receiving machine-assisted care.

“Maternal and neonatal health is worsening as acute fuel crisis putting babies at risk, deteriorating food security status,” Peeperkorn said.

Noting that there are some 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza, he said under these conditions, an average of 183 births per day are happening,

Due to the prevention of entry or exit of humanitarian supplies and patients, he said an average of 95 patients are unable to access specialized health care outside Gaza daily.

The representative said that 64% of primary health care clinics are already not functioning and 64% of primary health care clinics run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees are closed.

He said there have been 75 confirmed attacks on health care in Gaza since October 7, killing 16 health workers on duty and injuring 30.

Peeperkorn urged for a sustained supply of fuel, food, water, and medical supplies to Gaza, underlining the need for a safe passage for supplies within Gaza, and a humanitarian cease-fire.

He also called for the reversal of Israel’s evacuation order for Palestinians to leave their homes in northern Gaza and to move south.

Since October 7, the Israeli military launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 7,324 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children.