Karachi, United Nations experts have vehemently condemned the recent destruction at Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital, which occurred during a two-week siege, resulting in numerous casualties among health workers and patients. The experts have called on UN Member States to take immediate measures to halt what they describe as an ongoing genocide in Gaza, emphasizing the need for diplomatic, political, economic, and legal actions to address the crisis.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN panel expressed shock over the mass casualties in the Gaza Strip, labelling the situation as the world’s first real-time genocide. The experts criticized the assault on Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest healthcare provider in Gaza, which they stated had a devastating impact on the health system, violating international laws that protect medical facilities and personnel in conflict zones.

The destruction of Al-Shifa Hospital has severely restricted access to medical care for the population, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The experts detailed the dire medical conditions faced by patients at the hospital, who suffered from both chronic and acute conditions, and noted the inability to treat injuries or manage medical complications effectively.

The UN experts urged immediate international action to safeguard the rights to life, health, and dignity of the affected individuals, calling for the provision of humanitarian aid, protection of remaining health infrastructure, and support for health workers. They stressed the necessity for basic necessities like food, water, shelter, fuel, and emergency healthcare services, including psychosocial support and psychological first aid, to address the overwhelming needs of the traumatized and distressed population in Gaza.