WHO Chief Calls For Ceasefire In Gaza, Says Attacks On Hospitals Must End (image-twitter/DrTedros)
Amidst ongoing heavy bombardment on besieged enclave, Israel continues to hit on Gaza hospitals. World Health Organisation has described the situation at Gaza City’s al-Shifa hospital as “a complex horror scene” and called the destruction of Kamal Adwan hospital “appalling”.
Condemning the bombardment of hospitals in Gaza WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X, “WHO is appalled by the effective destruction of Kamal Adwan hospital in northern #Gaza over the last several days, rendering it non-functional and resulting in the death of at least 8 patients. Many health workers were reportedly detained, and WHO and partners are urgently seeking information on their status. “.
.@WHO is appalled by the effective destruction of Kamal Adwan hospital in northern #Gaza over the last several days, rendering it non-functional and resulting in the death of at least 8 patients.
Many health workers were reportedly detained, and WHO and partners are urgently…— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 17, 2023
He also pointed out the devastating situation of the patients in Gaza as they had to evacuate the hospitals in dire conditions and many lost their lives due to lack of adequate health care.
“We learned that many patients had to self-evacuate at great risk to their health and safety, with ambulances unable to reach the facility. Of the deceased patients, several died due to lack of adequate health care, including a 9-year-old child”, Tedros wrote.
Concerned about the collapsing health care system of Gaza, he added, “We are extremely concerned for the well-being of the internally displaced people who are reportedly sheltering in the hospital building. Gaza’s health system was already on its knees, and the loss of another even minimally functioning hospital is a severe blow.”
He called out for an immediate ceasefire, “Attacks on hospitals, health personnel and patients must end. Ceasefire NOW.”
Shelling on the hospitals has resulted in the death of many. On Sunday night, an airstrike at the Nasser hospital’s maternity ward killed one child and injured three other people, reports Al Jazeera. This is the latest in a series of military operations attacking medical facilities, including the Kamal Adwan and al-Shifa hospitals.
The Gaza health ministry spokesperson Ashraf al Qudra denounced Israel for trying to “eliminate” the besieged enclave’s health sector.
“Targeting Nasser medical complex is part of the occupation’s policy to eliminate the health sector and would bring down the health system in the southern Gaza Strip,” he added.
The offensive in Gaza has killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, as per Health Ministry report.
