Gaza [Palestine], December 18: The World Health Organization (WHO) has described the emergency department at the al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza as "a bloodbath."
The UN health body said the facility, which has been devastated by Israeli bombardments, is "in need of resuscitation."
In a statement, the WHO said that "tens of thousands of displaced people are using the hospital building and grounds for shelter," and that there is "a severe shortage" of drinking water and food.
A team from the World Health Organization and other United Nations agencies was able to deliver medical supplies Saturday to the hospital, the largest in the Palestinian territory.
The team found that new patients were arriving in the emergency room all the time and that "patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor [...and] no pain management is available."
At least five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli attack on the town of Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
It said the two were shot dead by Israeli forces on Sunday.
The Israeli army, meanwhile, said one of its airstrikes on Tulkarm had killed several armed Palestinians.
The military said the attackers had shot at soldiers and thrown explosive devices.
Four suspects were arrested and several weapons and explosive devices were confiscated during the operation.
In recent weeks, the Israeli military has stepped up operations against Palestinian groups in the West Bank, who it says are supporting Hamas in Gaza.
On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed killing more than 10 people it called terrorists in raids in Jenin, where several groups have a presence.
Violence against Palestinians by Israelis living in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank has also increased since October 7.
Source: Times of Oman
