GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), Himaya Center for Human Rights has warned that renewed Israeli claims about the military use of Gaza’s hospitals could be used as a pretext for further attacks on the Strip’s remaining medical facilities, while calling on world foreign ministers to act urgently to remove Israeli restrictions on aid, patients and essential supplies.
In two statements on Thursday, the center said Israeli remarks about hospitals and medical facilities raised serious concerns that the same allegations used in past attacks on Gaza’s health sector could be repeated to justify new assaults.
Himaya said any new attacks would endanger patients, wounded Palestinians and medical teams, and could push what remains of Gaza’s already weakened health system toward total collapse.
The center stressed that hospitals and medical facilities enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law, and that unverified claims or media statements do not remove this protection or turn medical facilities into military targets.
It called for any allegation regarding the misuse of a medical facility to be subjected to an independent and transparent investigation based on verifiable evidence, warning that such claims must not be used as a pretext to target patients, the wounded or health workers.
The warning came as the center sent a separate letter to foreign ministers around the world, urging immediate pressure to remove obstacles to the entry of aid and the movement of patients and goods to and from Gaza.
Himaya said Gaza’s population is facing extremely harsh humanitarian conditions after years of war, amid Israeli policies and measures that restrict access to basic needs and deny Palestinians their rights to health, education and work.
The center said restrictions on crossings and the movement of supplies are deepening the humanitarian crisis, particularly by obstructing the entry of food, medical supplies, water and sanitation equipment. It warned that children, the elderly, patients and the wounded are among the most vulnerable groups affected.
It also highlighted severe challenges facing the health sector, including shortages of medicines, consumables and medical equipment, alongside obstacles preventing patients and wounded Palestinians from reaching treatment outside Gaza.
The crisis extends beyond health care, Himaya said, noting that food security is also under growing threat because of the destruction of agricultural land and restrictions on fishermen’s access to the sea.
The center called on foreign ministers to prioritize civilian protection and humanitarian needs, pressure for the movement of people and goods, and ensure that essential supplies reach Gaza’s population without obstruction. It also urged full access for UN agencies and local and international humanitarian organizations.
Himaya said the international community must act on two urgent and connected demands: protecting the remaining facilities Palestinians still rely on, and ensuring the entry of the supplies needed to keep them functioning.
