Geneva (TDI): The World Health Organization (WHO) chief on Monday called for the immediate release of Hossam Abu Safiyeh, director of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, who is being held by Israel’s army following a major raid on the facility.
The Friday-Saturday assault on Kamal Adwan in Beit Lahia left northern Gaza’s last major hospital out of service and emptied of patients, the WHO said.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X that hospitals in Gaza have once again become battlegrounds and the health system is under severe threat.
He said that Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza is out of service following Israel’s raid, staff evacuation, forced patient the detention of its director. His whereabouts are unknown. We demand his immediate release.
Tedros said the patients in serious condition at Kamal Adwan Hospital had been moved to the Indonesian Hospital, “which is itself out of function.”
“Amid the current chaos in northern Gaza, WHO and partners today delivered basic medical and hygiene supplies, water and to Indonesian Hospital and transferred ten critical patients to Al-Shifa Hospital,” he said.
“We urge Israel to ensure their health care requirements and rights are upheld.”
He said 7 patients, fifteen health workers and caregivers remained at the “severely damaged” Indonesian Hospital, “which is unable to provide care.”
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“Al-Ahli Hospital and Al-Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital in Gaza City also faced attacks today and both are heath facilities damaged,” Tedros added.
“We repeat: stop attacks on health facilities. People in Gaza need access to health facilities. Humanitarians need access to provide health assistance.”
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Since October 6 this year, Israel military operations in Gaza have focused on the north, with officials stating their land and air offensive aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping.
