World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that the health system in the Gaza Strip is “under grave threat” and called for an end to Israeli attacks on hospitals.
“People in Gaza need access to health care. Humanitarians need access to provide health assistance. Ceasefire!” Tedros said in a statement.
Tedros also called for the immediate release of Hussam Abu Safia, the director of Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, who was detained by Israeli forces last week along with more than 200 Palestinians.
At the time, the Israeli military said that the hospital was being used by terrorists and that Safiya was being interrogated as a suspected Hamas member.
Located in the Beit Lahiya area, the hospital was one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza.
“The Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza is out of service – following a raid that forcibly evacuated patients and staff and the detention of its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, two days ago. His whereabouts are unknown,” Tedros said. Said.
The WHO chief also said the agency’s partners were able to deliver medical supplies, food and water to an Indonesian hospital in northern Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza began in October 2023 with an attack on southern Israel, during which Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took 250 hostage. About 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed dead.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 45,500 people have been killed and 108,000 others injured in Israeli counter-attacks in Gaza.
The United States, United Kingdom, European Union, and others have designated Hamas as a terrorist group.
Some information for this story was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
