WHO expressed concern over a recent raid on the Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza
On December 28, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed deep concern over a recent raid on the Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza. This incident has rendered the last major health facility in the region non-operational, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. With a siege lasting over 80 days, the lives of approximately 75,000 Palestinians in the area are now at grave risk. The systematic dismantling of healthcare infrastructure has raised alarms about the safety and well-being of those who remain in North Gaza.
Destruction of Kamal Adwan Hospital
The raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital resulted in significant damage to various critical areas, including the laboratory, surgical unit, and medical store. Initial reports indicate that parts of the hospital were set ablaze, further crippling its ability to provide essential medical services. Earlier that day, twelve patients and a female health staff member were forced to evacuate to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which is in ruins and unable to offer adequate care. The majority of the hospital staff, along with stable patients and their companions, were relocated to a different site, but the conditions remain precarious.
The situation escalated as reports emerged of individuals being stripped and compelled to walk toward southern Gaza. The area surrounding the hospital has been a hotspot for violence, with attacks on healthcare facilities and workers occurring almost daily. Just this week, bombardments near the hospital resulted in the deaths of 50 individuals, including five healthcare workers from Kamal Adwan. The hospital is now empty, with the remaining 15 critical patients and their caregivers transferred to Indonesian Hospital, which lacks the necessary resources for proper medical care. The movement of these patients under such dire circumstances poses severe risks to their survival.
Urgent Response from WHO
In response to the escalating crisis, WHO is planning an urgent mission to Indonesian Hospital to assess the situation. The organization aims to provide basic medical supplies, food, and water, and to facilitate the safe transfer of critical patients to Gaza City for continued care. The urgency of this mission cannot be overstated, as the health and safety of vulnerable patients hang in the balance.
Since early October 2024, WHO has documented at least 50 attacks on health facilities in or near Kamal Adwan Hospital. Despite the increasing need for emergency and trauma services, only 10 out of 21 WHO missions to the hospital have been partially successful. During these missions, WHO managed to deliver 45,000 liters of fuel, medical supplies, and food, while also transferring 114 patients to Al-Shifa Hospital. However, the deployment of international emergency medical teams has faced repeated denials, leaving healthcare providers in North Gaza without the necessary support.
Healthcare System on the Brink
The ongoing conflict has severely undermined the healthcare system in North Gaza. With Kamal Adwan and Indonesian hospitals now out of service, and Al-Awda Hospital barely operational due to recent airstrikes, the healthcare lifeline for the remaining population is nearing a breaking point. WHO and its partners have made significant efforts to sustain hospital operations, but these initiatives have been thwarted by the relentless violence and attacks on healthcare facilities.
WHO has repeatedly called for the protection of health workers and hospitals in accordance with international humanitarian law. However, these urgent appeals have largely gone unheeded. Health facilities, workers, and patients must be considered off-limits during conflicts. They deserve active protection and should never be targeted or used for military purposes. The principles of precaution, distinction, and proportionality under International Humanitarian Law must always apply, yet the current situation in North Gaza starkly contradicts these fundamental tenets.
Call for Action and Support
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, WHO urges the international community to take immediate action to restore functionality to hospitals in North Gaza. The destruction of healthcare facilities has turned hospitals into battlegrounds, reminiscent of the earlier devastation witnessed in Gaza City. The need for urgent support is critical, as the health and lives of thousands hang in the balance.
The international community must come together to ensure that healthcare workers and facilities are protected. The ongoing violence against healthcare providers is unacceptable and must be addressed. WHO’s calls for action must be met with a concerted effort to safeguard the health and well-being of those affected by this crisis. Without immediate intervention, the consequences for the people of North Gaza could be catastrophic.
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