“We know that only a quarter of Gaza’s hospitals are still functioning: 26 of the 36 hospitals are closed, due to damage and attacks or because they have run out of fuel,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of WHO, during a press conference. This alarming statistic underscores the immense pressure on the remaining medical facilities and staff as they struggle to provide critical care amidst the chaos.

An incident involving the Israeli military incursion into the Al Shifa hospital, which is the largest medical facility in Gaza, has sparked widespread condemnation. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the incursion unacceptable and emphasized the necessity for the protection of “patients and medical staff” under international law. Reports from the Palestinian enclave’s government surfaced on November 15, alleging that over 30 people attempting to evacuate Al Shifa hospital were killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The recent hostilities in the region were further inflamed on October 7, when Hamas launched a significant number of missiles from Gaza into southern Israel, leading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a state of war. The Israeli military response included the mobilization of 360,000 reservists, followed by extensive aerial bombardments and a ground incursion with the stated objectives of dismantling Hamas infrastructure and rescuing hostages.

The intense conflict has led to catastrophic civilian casualties, with reports suggesting around 11,500 individuals in Gaza, predominantly women and children, have been killed, alongside more than 1,200 fatalities in Israel. The continuous strife has fueled international demands for both Israel and Hamas to halt hostilities immediately.

In the midst of the tragedy, voices worldwide are increasingly supporting a two-state solution as the only viable path to enduring peace in the face of ongoing discord. Despite officially agreeing to the principle of two states, Israel has not fully withdrawn from territories captured and currently occupied in Palestine, increasing tension over the long-disputed land issues.