sister_Harb
06-09-2006, 11:27
9/5/2006 2:39:00 PM GMT
Numerous health organisations and rights groups have been warning against an imminent humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a result of the brutal offensive Israel started last June, killing over 200 innocent civilians, as well as the severe funding crisis.
Israel’s constant bombardments of civilian areas coupled with restrictions on movement, and the fragile economy which lead to noticeable surge in unemployment rates are all aspects that have negatively impacted the health of the Palestinian population.
But recently, medics in Gaza revealed disturbing facts. They say they’re encountering what they call “unexplained injuries” among the dead and wounded in the Israeli offensive which lasted for about nine weeks, according to UK’s The Independent.
Meanwhile, World Health Organisation (WHO) is considering whether there is a case for an investigation into the injuries amid concerns raised by Gaza doctors that the injuries resulted from unidentified "non-conventional" weapons.
According to medics, injuries included severe burning "down to the bones".
They also reported that in some cases internal organs were ruptured without any obvious sign of shrapnel wounds.
Palestinian Ministry of Health suggested that the medics' reports raise suspicion that Israel could be using "unprecedented" projectiles with "radiant" substances.
The exact cause of many deaths is greatly exacerbated by the rejection of many Palestinian families to allow autopsies.
"We think this should be studied. In some cases we have opened the abdomen and found very fragmented organs," said Dr Juma al Saqqa, the director of public relations at Shifa Hospital, describing injuries of some of the victims as "very strange".
According to Dr Juma, some doctors consulted in Italy suggested that some injuries might have been caused by phosphorus.
WHO has began a short preliminary assessment of the allegations, said Dr Ambrogio Manenti, the head of the organisation office in Gaza and the West Bank.
The World Health Organization warned earlier that the Palestinian Health Ministry is suffering a serious financial and humanitarian crisis.
The health component of the revised UN humanitarian appeal for the territory is unable to meet the growing humanitarian needs in the occupied territories.
The growing crisis facing the Ministry of Health has noticeably deteriorated due to severe economic restrictions imposed earlier this year following Hamas election, and is now threatening the delivery of essential health services to the extremely poor Palestinian population.
"There are urgent needs including essential medicines and supplies that have to be met as soon as possible," said Dr Ala Alwan, Representative of the WHO Director-General for Health Action in Crisis.
"WHO is responding to some of the most urgent needs from its internal resources but the funds available are limited. We hope that the international community will generously respond to this appeal so that we can make difference in the life and health of the Palestinian people."
The Ministry is responsible for 60% of health services and all public health programmes in Palestine. Experts expect the health system to further deteriorate unless the crisis is contained.
Source: Al-Jazeerah
Numerous health organisations and rights groups have been warning against an imminent humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a result of the brutal offensive Israel started last June, killing over 200 innocent civilians, as well as the severe funding crisis.
Israel’s constant bombardments of civilian areas coupled with restrictions on movement, and the fragile economy which lead to noticeable surge in unemployment rates are all aspects that have negatively impacted the health of the Palestinian population.
But recently, medics in Gaza revealed disturbing facts. They say they’re encountering what they call “unexplained injuries” among the dead and wounded in the Israeli offensive which lasted for about nine weeks, according to UK’s The Independent.
Meanwhile, World Health Organisation (WHO) is considering whether there is a case for an investigation into the injuries amid concerns raised by Gaza doctors that the injuries resulted from unidentified "non-conventional" weapons.
According to medics, injuries included severe burning "down to the bones".
They also reported that in some cases internal organs were ruptured without any obvious sign of shrapnel wounds.
Palestinian Ministry of Health suggested that the medics' reports raise suspicion that Israel could be using "unprecedented" projectiles with "radiant" substances.
The exact cause of many deaths is greatly exacerbated by the rejection of many Palestinian families to allow autopsies.
"We think this should be studied. In some cases we have opened the abdomen and found very fragmented organs," said Dr Juma al Saqqa, the director of public relations at Shifa Hospital, describing injuries of some of the victims as "very strange".
According to Dr Juma, some doctors consulted in Italy suggested that some injuries might have been caused by phosphorus.
WHO has began a short preliminary assessment of the allegations, said Dr Ambrogio Manenti, the head of the organisation office in Gaza and the West Bank.
The World Health Organization warned earlier that the Palestinian Health Ministry is suffering a serious financial and humanitarian crisis.
The health component of the revised UN humanitarian appeal for the territory is unable to meet the growing humanitarian needs in the occupied territories.
The growing crisis facing the Ministry of Health has noticeably deteriorated due to severe economic restrictions imposed earlier this year following Hamas election, and is now threatening the delivery of essential health services to the extremely poor Palestinian population.
"There are urgent needs including essential medicines and supplies that have to be met as soon as possible," said Dr Ala Alwan, Representative of the WHO Director-General for Health Action in Crisis.
"WHO is responding to some of the most urgent needs from its internal resources but the funds available are limited. We hope that the international community will generously respond to this appeal so that we can make difference in the life and health of the Palestinian people."
The Ministry is responsible for 60% of health services and all public health programmes in Palestine. Experts expect the health system to further deteriorate unless the crisis is contained.
Source: Al-Jazeerah