The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, renewed calls for an immediate halt to attacks on hospitals in Gaza, amid rising concerns for the region's health care system. His statement followed recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City’s Al Wafa hospital, and a raid on Kamal Adwan hospital, which has seen over 240 Palestinians, including medical staff, detained.
"Hospitals in Gaza are once again under attack, with the health system facing severe strain," Tedros said on social media. "We repeat: stop attacks on hospitals. People need health care; humanitarian workers need access to provide aid. Ceasefire now!"
The Israeli military reported targeting Hamas militants in the strike on Al Wafa hospital on Sunday, resulting in at least seven deaths. Israeli forces also detained dozens of medical personnel from Kamal Adwan hospital, including its director, Hussam Abu Safiya, accusing the hospital of being used by Hamas as a military base. Tedros called for Abu Safiya’s immediate release and condemned the raid on Al-Ahli hospital.
Tedros, who was recently involved in an Israeli airstrike on Yemen's main airport, emphasized the dire situation in Gaza’s health sector. He also mentioned the WHO's ongoing efforts to provide vital medical supplies to Gaza's Indonesian hospital and the transfer of critically ill patients to Al Shifa hospital.
As of now, over 45,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 108,000 wounded in the ongoing conflict, according to Gaza's health ministry. Tedros stressed the need for Israel to ensure the protection of health care workers and their access to medical facilities.
