Reports of Israeli troops storming one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza are deeply concerning, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
“Since this morning’s reports of a raid of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, we have lost touch with the personnel there,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on the social media platform X.
“This development is deeply disturbing given the number of patients being served and people sheltering there,” he added.
North Gaza has been under an intense military operation with thousands of civilians said to be cut off from humanitarian aid and protection, amid dwindling food and other life sustaining essentials.
Patients and displaced people
Tedros said Kamal Adwan Hospital “has been overflowing with close to 200 patients – a constant stream of horrific trauma cases”.
Hundreds of displaced people are also seeking shelter there.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, described the reports as deeply concerning. He stressed that hospitals should not be militarized.
Medical aid mission
The raid occurred a day after WHO and partners managed to reach Kamal Adwan Hospital amid the ongoing hostilities in the north. The complex mission – which involved two trucks with supplies and fuel, and five ambulances – lasted for more than 20 hours.
The team transferred 23 patients and 26 caregivers south to Al-Shifa Hospital, located in Gaza City.
They also delivered 10,000 litres of fuel, 180 units of blood, and trauma and surgical supplies to cover 1,600 interventions to Kamal Adwan.
The hospital also received a range of medicines to support approximately 5,000 patients, including infusion fluids, anaesthesia, antibiotics, and assistive devices for more than 100 patients, as well as 300 body bags.
More to follow…
