UN officials are shocked about the conditions in Gaza hospitals. Injured people lack basic supplies and children, even those recovering from amputations, are losing their lives due to the ongoing conflict.

"I'm furious that children recovering from amputations in hospitals are then killed in those very hospitals," stated James Elder, a spokesperson for UNICEF, the UN children's agency. He also reported that the Nasser hospital, the largest operational facility remaining in the territory, had been shelled twice within the last 48 hours.

The Director General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Ghebreyesus, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire saying that humanitarian relief is only possible with an immediate ceasefire. 

PSI General Secretary, Daniel Bertossa, said:

"An immediate ceasefire is the only way to protect health workers, women, and children. Over 200 health care workers and more than 100 UN workers have died. As WHO’s Director General Dr. Tedros recently said when acknowledging the tragic loss of life among Palestinian health workers, a ceasefire is the only way to truly protect and promote the health of the people of Gaza".

The UN recently noted that this was the largest toll of humanitarian workers killed in the organisation's 78-year history. UNRWA has said that some staff members were killed while queuing for bread while others were killed along with their families in their homes. 

In addition to Resolutions 32 and 48 of the 31st World Congress, the PSI Executive Board resolved at its last meeting on 27 November:

• Condemn war crimes committed by both sides and call on the international community and the United Nations to do everything to protect the security of public service workers.

• Hold an online affiliates’ meeting to hear from PSI affiliates in Gaza about the conditions of healthcare workers, and hear the calls from our affiliates in the Arab countries sub-region for help and solidarity with securing medicines, medical supplies, relief materials and volunteers for Gaza.

• Coordinate with the ILO and WHO, and all other relevant international organisations and countries to provide relief.

• Call for the respect of the United Nations Resolution for the adoption of a two-state solution, leading to a sustainable peace, and for democratic, independent, and secure Palestinian and Israeli states, that provide quality public services to their citizens.