The Gaza Strip’s health system is teetering on collapse, according to the United Nations chief. In a briefing cited by RIA News, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that hospitals and clinics are under enormous strain as conflict intensifies in the region.
Overcrowding extends beyond morgues, which are filled to capacity as the medical network struggles to manage the surge in casualties and displaced people. In the most recent days of intensified hostilities, at least 11 healthcare workers were killed while performing their official duties, highlighting the grave risks health workers face in this crisis.
Guterres emphasized the deteriorating state of health services, noting that there have been 34 attacks on medical facilities in just a few days. He explained that such assaults threaten the ability of clinics to operate and save lives, and they complicate the response for communities already dealing with trauma and loss.
Hospitals in the southern Gaza Strip are also overwhelmed and unable to admit new patients who arrive as a result of evacuations from the northern areas. The strain on capacity means that patients who would ordinarily receive timely care may face delays or be turned away, with potentially life-threatening consequences.
The UN chief warned that moving as many as one million Palestinians southward is an extremely dangerous proposition, and in some circumstances may be physically impossible. He underscored that safe movement requires secure corridors, adequate facilities, and protection for civilians amid ongoing hostilities. The message from the United Nations is a call for careful humanitarian planning to avert further tragedy and to safeguard the most vulnerable populations.
On 13 October, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated that the Israeli government had demanded the evacuation of about 1.1 million Palestinians from the northern Gaza Strip within 24 hours. As the Israeli Defense Forces prepare for a potential ground operation, officials have proposed relocating people to the south in an effort to reduce the immediate civilian risk while the military campaign continues. This plan has drawn widespread concern from humanitarian groups and international observers who fear severe disruption to essential services and the safety of civilians.
Reports from Israel have repeatedly described large-scale military actions targeting facilities associated with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The ongoing cycle of violence and countermeasures has left residents vulnerable, with critical infrastructure, including health facilities, frequently exposed to danger and disruption. (UN) (Reuters) These developments have intensified calls for a ceasefire and for renewed emphasis on civilian protection and humanitarian access, as aid organizations strive to reach those in need with medical supplies, food, and safe shelter.