In brief
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, leader of the WHO, has urged an immediate cessation of hostilities affecting hospitals in Gaza after a series of Israeli military actions have severely impacted healthcare infrastructure. Reports indicate that medical staff and patients are facing dire conditions as the humanitarian crisis escalates.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has urgently called for a halt to the ongoing attacks on hospitals in Gaza, highlighting the grave threats faced by the region's healthcare system. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his concerns following the Israeli military's raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last operational medical facility in northern Gaza, which took place on Friday. The military has stated that the hospital was being utilized by Hamas, leading to its forced evacuation. Further violence was reported over the weekend as two hospitals in Gaza City were struck, prompting widespread condemnation.Amidst the chaos, Dr. Tedros, alongside human rights advocates and families of detained medical personnel, is calling for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, who was taken into custody during the military operation. The Israeli military has labeled the facility a Hamas stronghold and claims that it detained numerous individuals believed to be associated with Hamas during the raid, although evidence has not been provided to substantiate these claims. The detention of Dr. Abu Safiya has been described by US-based MedGlobal as a violation of international humanitarian law that safeguards medical personnel in conflict scenarios, while his family has raised alarms about his health after sustained injuries.In the aftermath of the raid, critically ill patients from Kamal Adwan Hospital were transferred to an Indonesian hospital—which is already struggling with significant damage and limited capacity. The WHO has indicated the urgent need for humanitarian supplies and medical care as conditions in the region continue to deteriorate. Reports indicate that several patients involved in the transfer were detained by Israeli forces, emphasizing the risks faced by civilians and healthcare professionals alike.Moreover, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed serious concerns over the obliteration of healthcare services in northern Gaza due to ongoing violence. On Sunday, an Israeli strike on al-Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital reportedly resulted in casualties, including patients and medical staff. Witness accounts from the scene described harrowing conditions as individuals sought refuge from the chaos.Calls for enhanced humanitarian access and the protection of civilians in conflict zones have become increasingly urgent as the situation unfolds. Israel intensified its military offensive in response to an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties, and has led to over 45,540 fatalities in Gaza since then, according to local health authorities.
