In brief
Dr. Tedros of WHO emphasizes the dire state of medical facilities in Gaza, urging respect for humanitarian laws to protect healthcare workers and patients.
In a critical plea, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an immediate cessation of attacks on hospitals in Gaza, highlighting the escalating crisis affecting the region's healthcare system. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the recent assaults, noting that hospitals have become battlegrounds and are under severe threat.His statement follows a raid on the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza, Kamal Adwan, by Israeli military forces, which culminated in the evacuation of patients and the detention of medical staff. The Israeli military claims that the hospital was being used as a Hamas command center but provided no evidence to substantiate this allegation.Amid mounting international concern, rights groups and Dr. Tedros are calling for the release of Kamal Adwan's director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Detained during the Israeli raid, Dr. Abu Safiya is accused of being a Hamas operative, but rights organizations have condemned his detention as a violation of international humanitarian law. Dr. Abu Safiya, who is recovering from serious injuries, is reportedly being held in poor conditions, raising concerns about his health.In light of these developments, WHO and partners have provided basic medical supplies to the severely damaged Indonesian hospital while transferring critically ill patients to al-Shifa Hospital. However, caution remains as four patients were detained during this transfer, with ongoing calls for Israel to uphold their healthcare rights.The increased military activity in northern Gaza, which commenced on October 6, has led to near-total siege conditions, effectively denying humanitarian assistance for over 11 weeks. Both al-Ahli hospital and al-Wafa Rehabilitation hospital in Gaza City have also been recently targeted, causing significant casualties and destruction.Witnesses recount harrowing moments during the strikes, including incidents where patients were forced to flee amid chaos. The International Committee of the Red Cross has condemned the obliteration of healthcare services in the region, urging all parties to respect the protections afforded to medical facilities and civilians in conflict zones.The ongoing conflict, ignited by a deadly attack from Hamas on October 7 that resulted in over 1,200 fatalities in southern Israel, has claimed more than 45,540 lives in Gaza since the beginning of hostilities. Calls for urgent humanitarian aid and the safeguarding of medical facilities continue to grow amidst the intensifying crisis.
