WHO Appeals For Protection of Hospitals And Ambulances Hit In Gaza

[DogPoundPup]

The World Health Organization is appealing to Israel to refrain from hitting hospitals, health care centers and paramedics. It says dozens of hospitals and ambulances have been hit by Israeli fire during the three-week conflict despite receiving assurances from Israeli authorities that they would be safe.

Just a couple of days ago, three hospitals were attacked. The most serious was on the Al-Quds Palestinian Red Crescent hospital in Gaza city. All the patients had to be moved to the main hospital, Shifa.

Tony Laurence is acting head of the World Health Organization's Office in the West Bank and Gaza. In a briefing from Jerusalem, he told journalists in Geneva that overall, 16 health facilities and 16 ambulances have been damaged or destroyed, most by indirect fire.

"This recent damage to health facilities and so on comes after an assurance was given us by Israel and an order issued as we were advised by the general of the southern command that ambulances and medical personnel and U.N. as well must be protected. One has to ask what has one to make of such assurances when only two or three days later we have these incidents occurring," he said.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-17-voa24.cfm?rss=topstories