The World Health Organization (WHO) has urgently called for an end to the ongoing attacks on hospitals in Gaza, emphasizing that the health system is facing a profound crisis. According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated significantly, with hospitals transforming into battlegrounds.

In a recent statement, Tedros highlighted the plight of Gaza's healthcare facilities, specifically referencing the Kamal Adwan Hospital, which has been rendered inoperative following an Israeli military raid. This facility was critical in providing care for the 75,000 people still located in northern Gaza. The WHO reports that this raid led to the evacuation of patients and the detention of hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who remains missing as military operations intensify.

The Israeli military has claimed that Hamas militants utilized the hospital as a operational stronghold, justifying their actions based on accusations of terrorism. “The hospital has become a command and control center for Hamas,” stated an Israeli military representative according to CNN. However, these allegations are vehemently denied by Hamas and met with condemnation from various international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which called for the immediate release of Dr. Safiya, stressing the need for protecting healthcare workers under international law.

The WHO reported transferring crucial medical supplies to other facilities amidst this chaos, indicating that while patients from Kamal Adwan Hospital were sent to Indonesian Hospital, it too is struggling to function. “The situation is untenable; they have taken everything resourceful from our health system,” Dr. Tedros remarked, stating that at least 45,541 Palestinian lives have been lost since the conflict reignited on October 7, 2023.

As humanitarian aid continues to be hampered, there have been multiple strikes on medical facilities in Gaza, including Al-Ahli and Al-Wafa hospitals, prompting an outcry from health officials and human rights advocates. The WHO emphasizes the necessity of maintaining healthcare access for civilians, stating, “People in Gaza need access to health care. Humanitarians need access to provide health aid. Ceasefire!”

This escalation in military operations has led to widespread fear among displaced residents. Local accounts state that medical staff and patients face dire conditions as reports of hypothermia among vulnerable populations surface during the harsh winter months. This alarming reality underscores the need for a coordinated international response to ensure effective aid delivery and medical assistance in the region, as the World Health Organization continues to advocate for peace and standard humanitarian protocols in conflict zones.

The ongoing conflict has already led to severe suffering among the civilian population. In conclusion, the urgent call for an end to violence against healthcare facilities reflects a broader humanitarian crisis that requires immediate global attention and action.

For more details, refer to the original articles from VOA News, Reuters, CBS News, CNN, and BBC.