Nearly 500 healthcare personnel have been killed and hundreds more injured since the onset of Israel's genocidal aggression on Gaza in October of last year, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Health late Saturday night.

The statement detailed that over 310 healthcare workers have been arrested, and 130 ambulances destroyed by Israeli occupation forces in Gaza. Additionally, healthcare facilities and personnel in the West Bank have suffered more than 340 attacks during the same period.

The Ministry of Health emphasized that the systematic targeting of medical infrastructure by Israeli forces has significantly impeded citizens' access to essential healthcare services. The deteriorating conditions related to water and sanitation, compounded by overcrowding, have led to a surge in preventable diseases and premature deaths.

"Gaza is now confronting a public health disaster due to unsafe water resources and a lack of basic hygiene necessities for over 1.7 million forcibly displaced individuals," the ministry warned.

The statement also highlighted a critical shortage of healthcare workers and medical supplies, including anesthesia and antibiotics, leaving medical teams struggling to save lives under dire conditions.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Ministry of Health called for unconditional humanitarian aid to address the severe shortages and facilitate the evacuation of the wounded to receive life-saving medical treatment abroad. (ILKHA)