In a forceful statement today, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus denounced Israel’s recent strike on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, which has reportedly left hospital staff injured and critical health resources destroyed. The airstrike, which hit the hospital’s storage space for lifesaving medical supplies and damaged a desalination station and water tanks, has drawn global attention as Gaza’s healthcare facilities face unprecedented challenges amid escalating violence.
“WHO condemns this morning’s attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital, which caused injuries to some hospital staff members,” Ghebreyesus stated on X (formerly Twitter), expressing alarm over the direct impact on Gaza’s health infrastructure. He highlighted that the hospital “has been barely functioning since the most recent raid,” adding that the health conditions in northern Gaza are “appalling.” WHO urgently called on all involved parties to protect medical facilities and adhere to international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilian structures, especially healthcare institutions, during armed conflicts.
A Health System on the Brink
Kamal Adwan Hospital, now nearly incapacitated, has been vital for treating the injured and chronically ill amidst Gaza’s ongoing crisis. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital’s director, described the impact of the airstrike, revealing that four medics sustained burns and that emergency surgical operations had to be halted entirely. “We were forced to leave patients to die because of the cessation of surgical operations,” Abu Safiya said, labeling the situation “catastrophic.” The assault has strained the facility’s ability to function, leaving patients with limited care and few alternatives.
This strike follows a string of assaults on medical sites in Gaza. Only last week, occupation forces entered and occupied Kamal Adwan Hospital, detaining nearly all medical staff except for the hospital director, three nurses, and a pediatrician. The remaining staff have struggled to maintain essential services, contending with a dwindling supply of medicines, lack of equipment, and an influx of critically injured patients. “It’s a daily battle for survival here,” said a nurse who requested anonymity. “We’re trying to save lives, but without resources or enough hands, every day feels like a losing battle.”
International Humanitarian Concerns Mount
The attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital adds to a series of reported incidents that have sparked international condemnation over the targeting of medical facilities in Gaza. The WHO has consistently called for the protection of healthcare sites in conflict zones, emphasizing that attacks on these facilities exacerbate human suffering and violate Geneva Convention protections. Human rights organizations and health advocacy groups have echoed WHO’s call, stressing the humanitarian cost of Gaza’s ongoing blockade and violence.
Dr. Richard Brennan, the WHO’s Regional Emergency Director, stated, “Health services are collapsing in Gaza, and each additional assault brings the healthcare system closer to total collapse.” He warned that the lack of adequate medical care could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe in the territory, already plagued by shortages in power, water, and basic medical supplies.
Israel’s Position and International Response
While Israel’s military has yet to provide an official statement on this particular airstrike, it has previously justified its actions as efforts to target what it describes as military assets concealed in civilian structures. This stance, however, has not mitigated the growing calls for accountability from the international community. Several world leaders and humanitarian agencies have called for Israel to conduct its operations in a manner that minimizes civilian harm and respects international law.
As the crisis unfolds, the WHO and other international entities are emphasizing that protection of medical facilities is non-negotiable in warfare. With Gaza’s medical infrastructure on the verge of collapse, can a global response prevent further devastation and protect the lives of those caught in the crossfire?
Sources for this article include WHO statements, verified reports from AFP, and accounts from Kamal Adwan Hospital staff.
