Statements from UN, WHO, and international governments

WHO Demands End to Attacks on Gaza Hospitals, Calls for Release of Detained Director Amid Rising Casualties

Dec 30, 2024, 09:44 AM

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an immediate cessation of attacks on hospitals in Gaza, following recent Israeli strikes and raids on medical facilities. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that hospitals in Gaza have become battlegrounds, severely threatening the health system. He specifically mentioned the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, which is out of service after a raid, forced evacuation of patients and staff, and the detention of its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Tedros demanded the immediate release of Abu Safiya, whose whereabouts are unknown. The Israeli military has claimed that the hospital was used as a command center by Hamas, and those detained, including Abu Safiya, were suspected militants. Additionally, Tedros reported that the WHO and its partners delivered essential medical supplies, food, and water to the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, transferring 10 critical patients to Al Shifa Hospital, though four patients were detained during the transfer. The WHO chief also highlighted attacks on Al-Ahli and Al-Wafa hospitals. According to Gaza's health ministry, over 45,514 Palestinians have been killed and 108,189 wounded since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023.