Doctors perform surgery on a patient at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza, on March 17, 2024. AP
Doctors perform surgery on a patient at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza, on March 17, 2024. AP
Doctors perform surgery on a patient at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza, on March 17, 2024. AP
Doctors perform surgery on a patient at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza, on March 17, 2024. AP

WHO calls for protection of health workers in Gaza after surge in attacks


Mina Aldroubi
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

The World Health Organisation has called for the protection of health workers in Gaza after attacks that have killed or wounded hundreds of them, an official told The National on Friday.

The Israeli army ramped up its ground operations in the southern city of Rafah from May, before moving to Gaza city in the centre of the Palestinian enclave.

This led to an influx of injured patients admitted to partially functioning hospitals, as well as an increase in health worker deaths.

“Health facilities, workers and patients must not be attacked nor used for military purposes, and the principles of precaution, distinction and proportionality are absolute and always apply,” said WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier.

Since the war began on October 7, the WHO has verified 1,003 attacks on doctors, nurses, hospitals and health clinics in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

In Gaza, 746 people have been killed and 967 injured in 486 attacks, Mr Lindmeier said.

In the occupied West Bank, more than 517 attacks have taken place during the same period, he said.

According to Medical Aid for Palestinians, more than 500 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza since June 25.

“Health care depends on the facilities and workers that deliver it,” said Mr Lindmeier.

“Attacking them destroys lives, health systems and, of great potential importance, the paths that lead to post war peace and reconciliation.”

Gaza's healthcare centres have been destroyed or badly damaged. Of the enclave's 36 hospitals, 13 are partially open with 11 of them having restricted access due to insecurity and damage in their vicinities, according to recent WHO figures.

In the southern city of Rafah, there is no functional hospital for a sixth consecutive week, he said.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said most of its medical points and emergency clinics in Gaza governorate were out of service.

A doctor at the UAE's field hospital in Al Arish, Egypt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A doctor at the UAE's field hospital in Al Arish, Egypt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

“For a population of 2.2 million people, there are only 1,000 beds, down from 3,500. Of these, 370 beds are at field hospitals,” said the PRCS representative.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has repeatedly said Gaza's entire healthcare system and staff are overstretched.

“They have been on their knees for months,” Hisham Mhanna, ICRC spokesman in Gaza, told The National.

Doctors and nurses have faced a non-stop increase of mass casualties since the start of the war – from the north to the south of the enclave.

“They have very limited capacity and inventory of medical supplies, disposables, medications that are life-saving for many cases in some situations,” Mr Mhanna said.

“Doctors and nurses have to make life or death decisions for the casualties they are handling.”

The ICRC has several field hospitals but their capacity has been strained a number of times over the past few weeks due to an increase in the number of injuries, he said.

Patients admitted to the ICRC's field hospitals are satisfied with the quality of treatment they have received but “fear they may face another situation where they will get injured or killed”.

Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company

The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.

HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon. 

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

The biog

Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha

Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude

Holiday destination: Sri Lanka

First car: VW Golf

Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters

Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

OTHER IPL BOWLING RECORDS

Best bowling figures: 6-14 – Sohail Tanvir (for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings in 2008)

Best average: 16.36 – Andrew Tye

Best economy rate: 6.53 – Sunil Narine

Best strike-rate: 12.83 – Andrew Tye

Best strike-rate in an innings: 1.50 – Suresh Raina (for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals in 2011)

Most runs conceded in an innings: 70 – Basil Thampi (for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018)

Most hat-tricks: 3 – Amit Mishra

Most dot-balls: 1,128 – Harbhajan Singh

Most maiden overs bowled: 14 – Praveen Kumar

Most four-wicket hauls: 6 – Sunil Narine

 

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

Results:

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 (PA) | Group 1 US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres

Winner: Goshawke, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) | Listed $250,000 (D) | 1,600m

Winner: Silva, Oisin Murphy, Pia Brendt

7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) | Conditions $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m

Winner: Golden Jaguar, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash

8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) | Group 3 $200,000 (D) | 1,200m

Winner: Drafted, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m

Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m

Winner: Oasis Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m

Winner: Escalator, Christopher Hayes, Charlie Fellowes

Tuesday results:

  • Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
  • UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
  • Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets

Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Cofe

Year started: 2018

Based: UAE

Employees: 80-100

Amount raised: $13m

Investors: KISP ventures, Cedar Mundi, Towell Holding International, Takamul Capital, Dividend Gate Capital, Nizar AlNusif Sons Holding, Arab Investment Company and Al Imtiaz Investment Group 

Updated: July 19, 2024, 2:20 PM