Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed deep concern over reports of Israeli troops storming one of the last operational Northern Gaza Hospital. Ongoing hostilities in the region are also disrupting efforts to vaccinate against polio.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X that, “Since this morning’s reports of a raid of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, we have lost touch with the personnel there. This development is deeply disturbing given the number of patients being served and people sheltering there.”
Northern Gaza is experiencing intense military operations, leaving thousands of civilians without access to humanitarian aid and essential supplies.
Ghebreyesus reported that Kamal Adwan Hospital is overwhelmed with nearly 200 patients suffering from severe trauma, alongside hundreds of displaced individuals seeking refuge there. The situation continues to deteriorate due to ongoing conflict.
The IDF said it has been conducting operations in the area of the hospital “based on intelligence information regarding the presence of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure in the area.”
Since this morning’s reports of a raid of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern #Gaza, we have lost touch with the personnel there. This development is deeply disturbing given the number of patients being served and people sheltering there.
Prior to this, @WHO and partners managed to… pic.twitter.com/KL5ElhoQia
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 25, 2024
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, was on the “complex mission” which lasted for more than 20 hours. The team transferred 23 patients and 26 caregivers south to Al-Shifa Hospital, located in Gaza City.
They also delivered 10,000 litres of fuel, 180 units of blood, and trauma surgery and alcohol supplies to cover 1,600 interventions to Kamal Adwan.
Al-Shifa also received lab supplies, anaesthesia, medicines and antibiotics were also delivered to cover the health needs of 6,000 people.
Strike on Khan Younis
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported that at least 38 people, including many children, were killed in strikes on residential buildings in Khan Younis. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have targeted and killed several Palestinian gunmen while dismantling military infrastructure.
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