REUTERS/Mohammed Salem/ File photo Acquire Licensing RightsGENEVA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - More people could die from disease than from bombings in the Gaza Strip if its health system is not repaired, a World Health Organization spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Gaza health authorities deemed reliable by the United Nations say more than 15,000 people have been confirmed killed in Israel's bombardment of Gaza, around 40% of them children, with many more dead feared to be lost under rubble.
Citing a U.N. report on the living conditions of displaced residents in northern Gaza, she said: "(There are) no medicines, no vaccination activities, no access to safe water and hygiene and no food.
She described the collapse of Al Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza as a "tragedy" and voiced concern about the detention of some of its medical staff by Israeli forces during a WHO evacuation convoy.
They don't have access to safe water and it's crippling them," he said.
Persons:
Khan Younis, Mohammed Salem, Margaret Harris, James Elder, Emma Farge, Rachel More, Nick Macfie
Organizations:
REUTERS, Rights, Health Organization, United Nations, Al, WHO, Children's Agency, Thomson
Locations:
Israel, Gaza, Geneva, Al Shifa