Amid increasing violence in Gaza, the WHO warns that hospitals are under attack, calling for an urgent halt to military actions affecting medical care and staff.
WHO Urges Immediate Action to Protect Gaza's Hospitals Amid Ongoing Conflict
WHO Urges Immediate Action to Protect Gaza's Hospitals Amid Ongoing Conflict
The World Health Organization calls for an end to hostilities targeting medical facilities in Gaza, highlighting grave humanitarian concerns.
In a stark plea for action, the World Health Organization's Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for an immediate cessation of assaults on medical facilities in Gaza, which have become battlegrounds. His remarks follow the Israeli military's recent raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last operational facility in the besieged northern region. This raid forced the evacuation of patients and personnel and resulted in attacks on two additional hospitals in Gaza City, further straining the already crippled health system.
Dr. Tedros condemned the military's actions, asserting that the hospitals are essential for providing care amidst escalating violence. In light of these developments, he expressed deep concern for Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, who was detained by Israeli forces and is suspected of links to Hamas. Humanitarian organizations have decried his detention as a violation of international humanitarian law, underscoring the essential protections that should be afforded to medical personnel in conflict zones.
Reports indicate that critically ill patients from Kamal Adwan were transferred to Indonesia Hospital, which itself is in a state of disrepair and unable to adequately handle such needs. Dr. Tedros noted that urgent humanitarian aid, including basic medical supplies, water, and food, has been delivered to Indonesian Hospital, although it is reported to be severely compromised.
While Israeli military claims the targeted hospitals were being used by Hamas, humanitarian agencies have requested transparent evidence of such assertions. Witness accounts from civilians reveal dire conditions, with ongoing fears of further attacks leading to widespread displacement. A medical student present during a strike recounted harrowing scenes of chaos, confirming the presence of patients and medical staff during the attacks.
In the shadow of these developments, the International Committee of the Red Cross has reiterated the unacceptably high risks faced by civilians in Gaza due to the obliteration of the healthcare system amid conflict. As humanitarian aid continues to be hindered, advocacy for safe access to medical services remains crucial to protect the lives of civilians caught in the crossfire of this escalating crisis.
The humanitarian toll has been severe, with the health ministry in Gaza reporting catastrophic loss of life since the onset of the conflict, which began following a large-scale attack by Hamas on October 7.
Dr. Tedros condemned the military's actions, asserting that the hospitals are essential for providing care amidst escalating violence. In light of these developments, he expressed deep concern for Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, who was detained by Israeli forces and is suspected of links to Hamas. Humanitarian organizations have decried his detention as a violation of international humanitarian law, underscoring the essential protections that should be afforded to medical personnel in conflict zones.
Reports indicate that critically ill patients from Kamal Adwan were transferred to Indonesia Hospital, which itself is in a state of disrepair and unable to adequately handle such needs. Dr. Tedros noted that urgent humanitarian aid, including basic medical supplies, water, and food, has been delivered to Indonesian Hospital, although it is reported to be severely compromised.
While Israeli military claims the targeted hospitals were being used by Hamas, humanitarian agencies have requested transparent evidence of such assertions. Witness accounts from civilians reveal dire conditions, with ongoing fears of further attacks leading to widespread displacement. A medical student present during a strike recounted harrowing scenes of chaos, confirming the presence of patients and medical staff during the attacks.
In the shadow of these developments, the International Committee of the Red Cross has reiterated the unacceptably high risks faced by civilians in Gaza due to the obliteration of the healthcare system amid conflict. As humanitarian aid continues to be hindered, advocacy for safe access to medical services remains crucial to protect the lives of civilians caught in the crossfire of this escalating crisis.
The humanitarian toll has been severe, with the health ministry in Gaza reporting catastrophic loss of life since the onset of the conflict, which began following a large-scale attack by Hamas on October 7.
