The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed grave concern over the escalating violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, warning about the severe impact these ongoing conflicts are having on healthcare in the region. The violence has intensified sharply in recent months, with frequent attacks on healthcare facilities and workers, making it increasingly difficult to provide medical services. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative in the Palestinian territories, emphasized that the situation is worsening, with attacks on healthcare becoming “starkly rising” and obstructing vital health services.
The conflict has reached new heights with Israel deploying tanks into the West Bank for the first time in over two decades. Israel’s military operations are focused on Palestinian militant groups, particularly in the refugee camps within the West Bank. The Israeli government has warned that these operations are essential to protect the security of Israeli citizens, but this has raised serious concerns about the safety and accessibility of healthcare for Palestinians living in the affected areas.
The WHO reports that the frequency of attacks on healthcare workers and facilities has significantly increased. In 2025 alone, there have been 44 incidents affecting the provision of healthcare, resulting in the deaths of patients who were unable to access ambulances in time, as well as injuries to medical workers who were caught in the crossfire while trying to help those in need. The WHO has also highlighted the severe movement restrictions imposed on both healthcare workers and ambulances, further exacerbating the challenges of providing medical care to those affected by violence.
From October 7, 2023, the date when the Hamas-led attack on Israel triggered the latest war, to mid-February 2025, 25 healthcare workers and patients were killed, with 121 others injured. The restrictions on movement, including roadblocks and other military-imposed barriers, have hindered emergency response efforts. The WHO has been providing emergency medical supplies and trauma kits to hospitals in the West Bank, but the ongoing violence continues to undermine these efforts.
Additionally, the situation in the West Bank is becoming increasingly dire, as large numbers of Palestinians have been displaced by the violence. Over 40,000 Palestinians from the cities of Jenin and Tulkarm in northern West Bank have fled their homes due to Israeli military operations. These operations, which began following a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, have already claimed the lives of 82 Palestinians between January and February 2025. As the situation continues to worsen, the WHO is calling for greater international attention and support to protect healthcare access and ensure that life-saving medical services can continue amidst the violence.
The attacks on healthcare facilities, the deaths of patients and medical workers, and the displacement of thousands of civilians have highlighted the dire need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict. The WHO’s warnings serve as a stark reminder of the toll that violence takes on innocent civilians, particularly when it disrupts the most fundamental aspects of society, such as healthcare.
With the continued escalation of violence, the WHO has called for greater protection for medical personnel and facilities, urging all parties involved to adhere to international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of healthcare workers and facilities during conflicts. However, the growing concern is that without a lasting political solution, the cycle of violence will persist, further endangering the lives of vulnerable civilians and medical personnel in the region.
