The invasion of Rafah would significantly increase mortality and morbidity and further weaken the already broken health system

WHO is deeply concerned that a full-scale military operation in Rafah could lead to bloodshed. More than 1.2 million people are currently sheltering in the area, with many unable to move anywhere else.

A new wave of displacement would exacerbate overcrowding, further limiting access to food, water, health and sanitation services, leading to increased outbreaks of disease, worsening levels of hunger and additional loss of life.

Only 33% of Gaza's 36 hospitals and 30% of primary health care centers are functional at some capacity amid repeated attacks and shortages of vital medical supplies, fuel and personnel.

As part of the emergency effort, WHO and partners are working urgently to restore and revive health services, including expanding services and pre-positioning supplies, but the broken health system will not be able to cope with the increase in casualties and deaths that Rafa's incursion would cause.

The three hospitals (Al-Najjar, Al-Helal Al-Emarati and Kuwait Hospitals) currently partially operational in Rafah will become unsafe for patient, staff, ambulance and humanitarian access when hostilities intensify in their vicinity and, as a result, quickly become dysfunctional. The European Gaza Hospital in eastern Khan Younis, which currently functions as a Level 3 referral hospital for critical patients, is also vulnerable as it could become isolated and inaccessible during an incursion. In view of this, six field hospitals will remain in the south and Al-Aqsa Hospital in the Middle Area, which will serve as the only reference hospital.

As part of ongoing emergency efforts, WHO, partners and hospital staff have completed the first phase of reconstruction of the Nasser Medical Complex, including cleaning and ensuring the functioning of essential equipment. The emergency department, nine operating theaters, the intensive care unit, the maternity ward, the neonatal intensive care unit and the outpatient clinic are now partially operational, with local staff working there as well as emergency medical aid teams.

To reduce the burden on hospitals, WHO and partners are establishing additional primary health centers and medical points in Khan Younis, the Middle Area and northern Gaza, as well as pre-positioning medical supplies to enable these facilities to detect and treat infectious and non-communicable diseases and treat wounds. A new field hospital is being set up in Al Mawasi in Rafah.

A large WHO warehouse was established in Deir al Bala and a significant amount of medical supplies were transferred there from the WHO warehouse in Rafah as they might become unavailable during an incursion. These measures will help ensure the rapid movement of supplies to Khan Younis, the Middle Area and northern Gaza when needed.

In the north, WHO and partners are increasing efforts to restock and expand services at Kamal Adwan, Al-Ahli and Al-Awda hospitals, along with support for transferring very sick patients to hospitals where they can receive the treatment they need. survive. Plans are also underway to support the renovation of the Patient Friends Hospital, with a focus on pediatric services.

Despite contingency plans and efforts, the WHO warns that significant additional mortality and morbidity is expected when a military incursion occurs.

WHO calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the removal of obstacles to the delivery of emergency humanitarian aid to and from Gaza, to the extent necessary.

WHO additionally calls for respect for the sanctity of health care. The parties to the conflict have the coordinates of health facilities: it is imperative that they are actively protected and remain accessible to patients, health workers and partners. The safety of health and humanitarian workers must be guaranteed. Those who seek to save lives should not endanger their own.