The raid, apparently carried out by Israeli forces, saw some areas of the hospital set on fire and severely damaged, including the laboratory, surgical unit and medical store. The director of the hospital, Dr Abu Safiya, was reportedly arrested during this operation. The WHO lost contact with him.
A number of people were reportedly stripped naked and forced to walk towards southern Gaza.while seriously ill patients were forced to be transferred to the Indonesian hospital, which does not have the necessary equipment and supplies to provide adequate care. The WHO says moving and treating patients in such conditions poses serious risks to their survival. An urgent WHO mission to the Indonesian hospital is planned for Sunday to safely transfer them to southern Gaza for continued care.
Escalation of attacks
The WHO described the raid as part of the “systematic dismantling of the health system,” noting that, over a two-month period, attacks on health workers and hospitals in the region took place almost daily: This week alone, shelling in the surrounding area has reportedly killed 50 people, including five health workers at Kamal Adwan Hospital.
The deployment of international emergency medical teams has been repeatedly denied and, despite the growing need for emergency and trauma services and supplies, only 10 of the 21 WHO missions in Kamal Adwan have were partially facilitated between early October and December.
Despite restrictions, WHO missions managed to deliver 45,000 liters of fuel, medical supplies, blood and food, and 114 patients and 123 of their companions were transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
