There is a risk that more people could die from diseases than from bombings in Gaza if the enclave’s health system is not put back on its feet quickly, a World Health Organisation spokesperson said.

“Eventually we will see more people dying from disease than from bombardment if we are not able to put back together this health system,” said the WHO’s Margaret Harris.

According to Reuters, she described the collapse of Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza as a “tragedy” and voiced concern about the detention of some of its medical staff by Israeli forces.