On December 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urgently called for an immediate cessation of attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza. His statement follows a series of troubling incidents in which hospitals in the region have become targets amidst ongoing violence. Dr. Tedros highlighted the escalating threat to the health system, emphasizing that hospitals, once safe havens for the sick and injured, have now been transformed into battlegrounds.
The WHO Director-General voiced serious concern over the escalating situation and the continuous assaults on healthcare facilities, which are critically obstructing humanitarian relief efforts. In a post shared on social media platform X, Dr. Tedros called on all parties to immediately cease attacks on hospitals. He highlighted the urgent need for the people of Gaza to access medical care and for humanitarian workers to operate without hindrance. His plea for a ceasefire underscored the mounting global alarm over the plight of civilians in the region.
Recent attacks have intensified the crisis. On Sunday, Israeli forces struck Gaza City’s Al Wafa Hospital, claiming the hospital was being used as a base by Hamas militants. The Palestinian civil defense reported that seven people were killed in the attack, which further raised alarm about the vulnerability of civilians and healthcare workers in Gaza. In addition to the strike on Al Wafa, Israeli forces carried out a raid on Kamal Adwan hospital on Friday, detaining over 240 Palestinians, including many medical staff members.
Among those detained was Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan hospital, who was arrested on suspicion of being involved with Hamas. The Israeli military stated that the hospital had been used as a command center for Hamas operations, a claim that remains disputed by local authorities and human rights organizations. Dr. Abu Safiya’s arrest sparked further calls for his immediate release, with Dr. Tedros urging that he be freed without delay. The WHO chief also referenced ongoing attacks on Al-Ahli hospital, another key medical facility in the region.
Dr. Tedros’s statement underscored the critical need for medical facilities to remain neutral zones in times of conflict. Hospitals should be places of healing, not sites of destruction, yet the ongoing violence in Gaza has turned these vital institutions into casualties of war. The attack on Al Wafa and the raid on Kamal Adwan hospital are part of a broader pattern of hospital bombings and raids that have plagued Gaza since the onset of Israel’s military offensive following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.
Amidst the violence, the WHO has been working with partners to deliver much-needed medical supplies to the region. In his message, Dr. Tedros confirmed that the WHO and its partners have successfully delivered basic medical supplies, food, and water to Gaza’s Indonesian hospital. Moreover, the WHO facilitated the transfer of 10 critically ill patients from Indonesian hospital to Al Shifa hospital, a major medical center in Gaza. However, the transfer was marred by further complications, as four patients were detained during the move, further complicating an already dire situation.
In light of these challenges, Dr. Tedros called on the Israeli government to uphold the rights and needs of Gaza’s healthcare workers and civilians, stating that their access to medical care should not be obstructed. The international community continues to watch with growing concern as the humanitarian crisis deepens, with the ongoing conflict taking a heavy toll on both the civilian population and healthcare providers.
The health impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza has been devastating. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 45,514 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 108,189 others have been wounded since the start of the military operations. The situation continues to worsen, as both the loss of life and the destruction of infrastructure contribute to a spiraling humanitarian disaster.
The destruction of medical facilities is particularly troubling, as it undermines efforts to provide necessary care to the wounded and sick. Healthcare workers are risking their lives to provide aid in increasingly dangerous conditions, and the supply of essential medical equipment and medications remains critically low. The attacks on hospitals and medical centers have also led to a shortage of staff, with many doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel detained or killed during the conflict.
In addition to the direct consequences of the strikes, the healthcare system’s collapse in Gaza will have long-term implications for the region’s public health. The destruction of medical facilities, combined with the overwhelming number of casualties, will strain the ability of the health sector to recover. Without intervention, the toll on public health could continue to grow, leading to even greater suffering for the people of Gaza.
The WHO’s call for an end to the attacks on hospitals in Gaza comes as part of broader efforts to protect civilians and ensure the continued delivery of humanitarian aid. The organization’s work in the region is increasingly difficult, but Dr. Tedros remains committed to ensuring that health care and humanitarian aid reach those in need. As the world watches, the call for an end to violence against healthcare workers and facilities in Gaza grows louder, with many urging all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and medical facilities.
The situation in Gaza remains fluid, and the international community continues to pressure all sides to respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of medical workers and infrastructure. However, the path to peace and stability in Gaza remains uncertain, as the conflict continues to escalate and the humanitarian crisis deepens. The WHO’s repeated calls for a ceasefire and the protection of medical facilities are a reminder of the human cost of war and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.