Official WHO statements or press releases

Israeli Forces Storm Kamal Adwan Hospital, Forcing 350 Patients to Evacuate; Director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya Detained

Dec 28, 2024, 02:00 AM

Israeli forces stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on December 27, 2024, forcing the evacuation of approximately 350 patients and medical staff. The operation, aimed at targeting Hamas militants, resulted in the hospital being set on fire and left it 'out of service,' according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Eyewitness accounts reported that individuals were evacuated at gunpoint, with some medical personnel and patients being stripped and beaten. The Israeli military's actions have raised concerns over the humanitarian impact, as the hospital was one of the last remaining functioning medical facilities in the region. Health officials in Gaza stated that the situation for the evacuated patients is dire, with reports of inadequate conditions at the Indonesian Hospital, where many were relocated. Additionally, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital's director, was reportedly detained during the raid, along with several other staff members. The WHO condemned the assault, describing it as a 'death sentence' for many Palestinians reliant on the healthcare system.