WHO Warns of ‘Catastrophic’ Health Crisis in Northern Gaza

GAZA CITY: The World Health Organization has issued a dire warning regarding the deteriorating health crisis in northern Gaza, emphasizing the severe consequences of ongoing military operations on healthcare infrastructure. The situation has been exacerbated by a recent siege at Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last functioning medical facilities in the region.

According to Anadolu Agency, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concerns about the damage to hospital facilities and medical supplies during the siege, describing the reports as “deplorable.” He highlighted that 44 male staff members were detained by Israeli forces, leaving only female staff, the hospital director, and one male doctor to manage the care of approximately 200 patients in urgent need of medical attention.

Ghebreyesus emphasized the violation of international humanitarian law posed by attacks on healthcare facilities and called for an “immediate and unconditional cease-fire” to safeguard Gaza’s collapsing hea
lth system. The Israeli army reportedly withdrew from Kamal Adwan Hospital after causing significant damage to the facility.

Kamal Adwan Hospital is a critical medical center serving northern Gaza, an area that has witnessed the deaths of over 820 Palestinians during a 22-day military operation. Gaza officials have described the operation as a ‘campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing,’ according to the Gaza Government Media Office.

Despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued its offensive on Gaza. This follows an attack last year by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Local health authorities report that nearly 43,000 people have been killed, predominantly women and children, and over 100,000 others injured during the conflict. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its actions in Gaza.