Emergency in North Gaza: Health Workers Targeted as WHO Raises Alarm Over Hospital Siege

In a grave development from northern Gaza, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that three health workers were injured and 44 detained at the Kamal Adwan Hospital, the area’s only functioning medical facility amidst ongoing conflict. The WHO regained contact with hospital staff after a chaotic period, sparking concerns for the safety and well-being of countless individuals within the facility.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took to social media platform X to address the alarming situation, reporting that the hospital, located in the Jabalia camp, remains severely besieged. He noted, “Three health workers and other staff members have sustained injuries, while an entire team consisting of 44 health workers has been detained. Additionally, four ambulances have suffered damage.”

The backdrop to this emergency includes accusations from Gaza's health ministry, which alleges that Israeli forces stormed the Kamal Adwan hospital as part of a larger military operation initiated earlier in the month. This incursion has reportedly resulted in the deaths of two children and the detention of numerous staff members, patients, and displaced civilians.

While responding to the situation, the Israeli military acknowledged activity around the Kamal Adwan hospital but maintained that they “weren't aware of live fire and strikes in the area.” As tensions escalated, the WHO experienced a temporary breakdown in contact with the hospital staff, which Tedros characterized as “deeply disturbing.”

Earlier, on Wednesday night, the WHO, alongside partner agencies, successfully evacuated 23 patients and 26 caregivers from Kamal Adwan to Al-Shifa Hospital, the principal medical facility in the region. The gravity of the situation at Kamal Adwan is underscored by reports indicating that the hospital is currently overflowing with approximately 200 patients, many of whom are facing severe trauma, alongside hundreds seeking refuge from ongoing violence.

In a powerful call to action, Tedros issued a plea for the protection of medical facilities, healthcare personnel, and civilian patients. He emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire, asserting that the safety of non-combatants and healthcare providers should never be compromised in times of conflict, especially given the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

As global attention turns to this crisis, the WHO continues to advocate for peace and the safeguarding of healthcare in war zones, urging immediate action to provide relief and support to those in desperate need.