GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the escalating violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and its adverse effects on healthcare services, according to Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO’s representative for the Palestinian territories. Speaking from Gaza on February 25, Peeperkorn highlighted the “starkly rising” number of attacks on healthcare facilities in the region.
On February 23, Israel deployed tanks into the West Bank for the first time in over two decades, marking a significant escalation in its military presence. Israeli forces have been ordered to prepare for an extended stay in the area to combat Palestinian militant groups, particularly within the refugee camps.
“We are deeply concerned about the situation in the West Bank and the impact on health,” Dr. Peeperkorn said during a video briefing. “We are witnessing an alarming rise in violence and attacks on healthcare.”
In response, the Israeli military has claimed that militant organizations, including Hamas, have used hospitals and ambulances for terrorist activities. The military further emphasized that its operations are necessary for ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens, while stating that measures are in place to minimize harm to medical personnel.
The WHO reported 44 attacks on healthcare facilities in the West Bank this year alone, affecting the delivery of medical care. Four healthcare facilities have been impacted, while four patients reportedly died while waiting for ambulances. Additionally, eight health workers were injured while attempting to reach those in need.
From October 7, 2023 – the day Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, sparking the ongoing conflict in Gaza – to February 14, 2025, the WHO recorded 25 healthcare workers and patients killed, and 121 others injured in the West Bank.
The organization also noted severe restrictions on movement throughout the region, including barriers that impede the access of ambulances and healthcare workers to affected areas. To address the growing crisis, the WHO has provided emergency medical supplies, including trauma kits, to hospitals in the West Bank.
The violence has led to significant displacement, with at least 40,000 Palestinians fleeing their homes in Jenin and Tulkarm, two cities in the northern West Bank. This exodus began in January after Israeli operations resumed following a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which ended 15 months of intense conflict.
According to the WHO’s latest data, 82 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank between January 1 and February 13, 2025.
Related topics
