Palestinians pass Al-Quds hospital, damaged during Israel's offensive, south of Gaza City January 16, 2009. Israel said its Gaza offensive could be "in the final act" on Friday and sent envoys to discuss truce terms after Hamas made a ceasefire offer to end three weeks of fighting that has killed more than 1,100 Palestinians. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA)From International Herald Tribune:
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip: The medical system in Gaza is close to being overwhelmed and the Palestinian enclave faces a humanitarian catastrophe unless a cease-fire is reached soon, a senior U.N. health official said Friday.
Sixteen health facilities, including hospitals and clinics, have been damaged by shelling and fighting during the 3-week-old Israeli offensive, said Tony Laurance, head of the World Health Organization office in Gaza.
The attacks are a "grave violation of international humanitarian law," Laurance said by telephone. "If this continues it will be a humanitarian catastrophe, especially for the health care system."
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