Israel injures 77 health personnel, damages 14 ambulances in Gaza protests

Israeli forces have injured at least 77 health personnel and damaged 14 ambulances during demonstrations in the occupied Gaza Strip since 30 March, according to a new update published by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The figures, which cover a period up to 23 April, were included in a new WHO ‘Special Situation Report’ for the occupied Palestinian territory.

The WHO report notes that more than 5,000 Palestinians have been injured in Israeli forces’ crackdown on the protests, of which 3,268 (64 percent) were “admitted to hospitals”.

Of those total number of Palestinians hospitalised since 30 March, 564 were children.

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The WHO document also reports that 20 patients injured in the demonstrations since 30 March applied to exit Gaza for health care, but Israeli authorities have only approved nine applications.

This acceptance rate of 45 percent is some 15 percent lower than the overall acceptance rate for the first quarter of 2018. 11 applications (55 percent) were denied, again “significantly higher” than the overall denial rate of 8 percent for the first quarter of 2018.

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The WHO noted the various work being done by medics and health professionals in the Gaza Strip, including the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Doctors Worldwide-Turkey, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNICEF, and the Union of Health Work Committees.

A good deal of the work being done by doctors and NGOs is related to complex surgeries and post-operative rehabilitation.