Gaza, 19 December 2023 (TDI): The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros, expressed grave concern following the destruction of a Kamal Adwan hospital in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire.
Last week, the Israeli military conducted a four-day raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital, during which numerous health workers were reportedly detained, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Tedros while expressing concern, emphasized that Gaza’s already fragile health system has been further devastated by the loss of yet another hospital.
Currently, less than a third of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially operational, with only one in the northern enclave still functioning. Tedros called for an immediate end to attacks on hospitals, health personnel, and patients, urging a ceasefire without delay.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that numerous patients at Kamal Adwan Hospital had to evacuate on their own, posing significant risks to their health and safety, as ambulances were unable to reach the facility.
According to an update from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Israeli forces withdrew from the hospital on Saturday.
Media reports indicate that an Israeli military bulldozer flattened the tents of several internally displaced persons outside the hospital, resulting in an unconfirmed number of casualties.
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Expressing deep concern, Tedros highlighted that the WHO is extremely worried about the well-being of the displaced individuals.
OCHA reported that the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah has called for an investigation into the incident.
The Israeli army, as quoted by OCHA, stated that it had detained 90 individuals as part of the operation and claimed to have discovered weapons and munitions inside the hospital.
The humanitarian crisis in the enclave persists, with a majority of the population displaced and crowded into a confined area in the south. They face severe sanitary conditions and a lack of essential resources such as food and water.
Hopes for an increased delivery of aid received a positive development on Friday with the announcement of the reopening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and Gaza. The aid community welcomed this news.
The crossing, reportedly open for the first time since October 7, adds to the Rafah border crossing in the south, which has been the sole open crossing since deliveries resumed on October 21.
Responding to this development, Martin Griffiths, the head of OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), expressed optimism about the swift implementation of the agreement, stating that it would enhance the flow of aid.
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