The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on Saturday about a “catastrophic” situation in northern Gaza, emphasizing the severe effects of military operations on healthcare facilities, particularly the recent siege at Kamal Adwan Hospital.
“Reports of damage or destruction to hospital facilities and medical supplies during the siege are unacceptable,” stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X.
He pointed out that 44 male staff members were detained by Israeli forces, leaving only female personnel, the hospital director, and one male doctor to attend to approximately 200 patients in urgent need of care.
“Any assault on healthcare facilities violates international humanitarian law,” Ghebreyesus added.
He urged for an “immediate and unconditional cease-fire” as the only solution to safeguard Gaza’s crumbling health system.
Reports indicate that the Israeli army withdrew from the hospital after causing significant damage.
Kamal Adwan Hospital is among the few remaining medical centers in northern Gaza, where over 820 Palestinians have died during a 22-day military operation that Gaza officials label a “campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing,” according to the Gaza Government Media Office.
Disregarding a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued its devastating offensive in Gaza, which began following an attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas last year.
Nearly 43,000 individuals have been killed since then, predominantly women and children, with over 100,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
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