USA: United Nations experts have accused Israel of committing “genocidal acts” against Palestinians by deliberately targeting and destroying women’s healthcare facilities during the conflict in Gaza. In a report released on Thursday, the UN panel stated that the systematic attacks on medical infrastructure have severely impacted maternal and reproductive healthcare, putting the lives of countless women and newborns at grave risk. The destruction of hospitals and clinics, coupled with restrictions on medical supplies, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leaving pregnant women without access to safe deliveries or emergency care.
The report highlights that the targeted obliteration of healthcare services is not only a violation of international humanitarian law but also constitutes a deliberate strategy to inflict long-term suffering on Palestinian civilians. Experts argue that by dismantling Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system, Israel has engaged in a pattern of violence that aligns with definitions of genocide under the Geneva Conventions. Testimonies from medical personnel describe harrowing conditions, with doctors forced to operate without anesthesia and midwives delivering babies in makeshift conditions due to the lack of medical facilities.
Further, UN officials emphasize that the destruction of hospitals catering specifically to women and children indicates an intentional effort to dismantle essential services for the most vulnerable. The report details cases where airstrikes targeted maternity wards, killing pregnant women and newborns, while others died due to the inability to access life-saving treatment. The experts warn that such actions, when viewed within the broader context of Israel’s military campaign, demonstrate a calculated effort to dismantle Palestinian society by eliminating key aspects of its survival.
In response, humanitarian organizations have condemned the actions and called for immediate international intervention. UN officials stress the urgency of restoring medical services and ensuring accountability for the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. With thousands of women left without medical care and an escalating death toll, the situation remains dire. The report urges global leaders to take concrete steps to halt the ongoing atrocities and to uphold the principles of international law in protecting civilian populations.
