Country: occupied Palestinian territory Source: International Committee of the Red Cross The ICRC is extremely worried about the evacuation orders around the Nasser Medical Complex (NMC). NMC is indispensable to the health system in Gaza – no other medical facilities can take in patients who need specialized care. It is critical that it remains open and accessible to medical personnel and patients.“Repeated evacuation orders are isolating and undermining what little is left of the health-care system in Gaza. The remaining health-care facilities depend strongly on working together through transfer of patients, and exchanges of medical supplies and ambulance services,” said Adrian Zimmermann, ICRC head of sub-delegation in Gaza. “NMC is integral to this system. These widespread evacuation orders – even with temporary exemptions – create bottlenecks that risk many preventable deaths.”NMC’s inability to operate would mean there is no place for the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah (RFH) to refer patients for specialized care. NMC also provides blood bank services for RFH to conduct blood transfusions and forensic services and management of the dead; its inability to operate will mean increased pressure on other, less equipped facilities.Staff at the RFH are working in extremely precarious conditions. Stray bullets regularly enter the RFH, putting patients and staff at risk. Hostilities in the area have disrupted internet connectivity, making communication between and within sites extremely challenging.Over the last three weeks, the RFH has received a massive influx of weapon wounded patients, who report they were coming from aid distribution sites. The RFH is now operating at well over capacity. On 12 June, it received another 154 cases, ten of whom were transferred to NMC.International humanitarian law requires that medical facilities and medical personnel be respected and protected. All feasible steps must be taken to support their work, ensure their safety, and guarantee that they are not deprived of vital resources. Keeping medical facilities operational and accessible preserves a lifeline for the wounded and sick who must receive the medical care and attention they require as soon as possible.