WHO warns of 'catastrophic' health crisis in northern Gaza

ISTANBUL

The World Health Organization on Saturday warned of a "catastrophic" situation in northern Gaza, highlighting the severe impact of military operations on healthcare facilities, particularly the recent siege at Kamal Adwan Hospital.

"Reports of the hospital facilities and medical supplies being damaged or destroyed during the siege are deplorable," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X.

He noted that 44 male staff members were detained by Israeli forces, leaving only female staff, the hospital director, and one male doctor to care for roughly 200 patients in urgent need of medical attention.

"Any attack on healthcare facilities is a violation of international humanitarian law," Ghebreyesus said.

He called for an "immediate and unconditional cease-fire" as the only way to preserve Gaza's deteriorating health system.

The Israeli army reportedly withdrew from the hospital after inflicting severe damage.

Kamal Adwan is one of the few remaining medical centers serving northern Gaza, where over 820 Palestinians have been killed in a 22-day military operation that Gaza officials describe as a “campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing,” according to the Gaza Government Media Office.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza since an attack last year by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

Nearly 43,000 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 100,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.