The World Well being Group has condemned Israel’s storming of a vital hospital in northern Gaza, saying assaults on medical amenities are a “loss of life sentence” for hundreds of Palestinians and that “this horror should finish”.
An Israeli military assault on the Kamal Adwan Hospital on Friday put the final main well being facility in northern Gaza out of service, the WHO mentioned.
“Preliminary reviews point out that some key departments had been severely burned and destroyed in the course of the raid,” the WHO mentioned in an announcement on X on Friday night.
The Israeli navy mentioned in an announcement that it had launched a raid on the Kamal Adwan Hospital because it “serves as a Hamas terrorist stronghold”, however failed to supply proof. Hamas mentioned it “categorically” denied the claims.
As of Friday morning, the hospital housed about 350 folks, together with 75 sufferers, together with 180 medical employees.
The WHO mentioned 60 well being staff and 25 sufferers in vital situation, together with these on ventilators, reportedly stay within the hospital.
The sufferers in average to extreme situation had been compelled to evacuate to the destroyed and non-functional Indonesian Hospital, the United Nations well being company mentioned, including that it was “deeply involved for his or her security”.
The WHO reiterated its name for a ceasefire.
“This raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital comes after escalating restrictions on entry for WHO and companions, and repeated assaults on or close to the power since early October,” the WHO mentioned.
“Such hostilities and the raids are undoing all our efforts and assist to maintain the power minimal useful. The systematic dismantling of the well being system in Gaza is a loss of life sentence for tens of hundreds of Palestinians in want of healthcare.
“This horror should finish and healthcare should be protected.”
This morning’s raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital has put this final main well being facility in North #Gaza out of service. Preliminary reviews point out that some key departments had been severely burnt and destroyed in the course of the raid.
60 well being staff and 25 sufferers in vital situation,… pic.twitter.com/bD5eJgnVkR
— World Well being Group (WHO) (@WHO) December 27, 2024
Israel’s navy started a renewed floor offensive in northern Gaza in October and claimed, additionally with out proof, that the hospital had change into “a key stronghold for terrorist organisations and continues for use as a hideout for terrorist operatives”.
Earlier than initiating the most recent assault on the hospital, the Israeli navy mentioned its troopers had “facilitated the safe evacuation of civilians, sufferers, and medical personnel”.
Hamas denied its fighters had been current within the hospital, and urged the UN to arrange an investigation committee “to look at the dimensions of crime being dedicated in northern Gaza”.
“We categorically deny the presence of any navy exercise or resistance fighters within the hospital,” Hamas mentioned in an announcement.
“The enemy’s lies in regards to the hospital intention to justify the heinous crime dedicated by the occupation military in the present day, involving the evacuation and burning of all hospital departments as a part of a plan for extermination and compelled displacement.”
Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut mentioned the Israeli navy has usually accused Hamas fighters of working from medical amenities, however has by no means confirmed these claims.
“Most notable was the raid on al-Shifa Hospital again in 2023 when the navy mentioned Hamas was utilizing al-Shifa as a command and management centre, claims that to today have nonetheless by no means been confirmed,” she mentioned, reporting from Amman, Jordan, as a result of Al Jazeera has been banned from working in Israel and the occupied West Financial institution.
“Now, Kamal Adwan was the final functioning hospital in northern Gaza, however once more, it was barely functioning due to the siege that was put ahead by Israeli forces – a siege on meals, water, and all different kinds of medical provides.”
Gaza well being officers mentioned on Saturday that Israeli forces had detained the director of the hospital.
“The occupation forces have taken dozens of the medical employees from Kamal Adwan Hospital to a detention centre for interrogation, together with the director, Hussam Abu Safia,” the Palestinian Well being Ministry within the Hamas-run territory mentioned in an announcement.
The Gaza civil defence company additionally reported that Abu Safia had been detained.
The ministry had earlier quoted Abu Safia as saying that the navy had “set on hearth all surgical procedure departments of the hospital”.
Abu Safia mentioned there have been “numerous accidents” among the many medical crew.
On Thursday, Abu Safia mentioned 5 employees members had been killed in an Israeli air assault.
Israel’s assault has killed greater than 45,300 Palestinians since October final 12 months, largely youngsters and girls, in accordance with well being officers within the enclave. The overwhelming majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million folks have been displaced and far of Gaza is in ruins.
In latest days, Abu Safia has repeatedly raised issues in regards to the hospital’s scenario.
“The world should perceive that our hospital is being focused with the intent to kill and forcibly displace the folks inside,” he mentioned in an announcement on Monday.
