GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that three health workers were injured, and 44 others detained, following a siege at Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza. WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported on social media that contact had been re-established with the besieged hospital after hours of communication loss.
Located in the Jabalia refugee camp, Kamal Adwan Hospital has been operating under intense pressure. According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israeli forces conducted a raid at the hospital on Oct 25, which allegedly resulted in the deaths of two children and the detention of hundreds, including staff, patients, and displaced individuals.
WHO reported that before the siege, the organization had coordinated an emergency mission to the hospital on Oct 23, delivering critical medical supplies and transferring 23 patients with 26 caregivers to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Kamal Adwan had been struggling with an overflow of patients, as well as hundreds of civilians seeking shelter from the ongoing conflict.
Dr. Tedros stressed the urgent need for medical neutrality, calling for the protection of “hospitals, health workers, and patients” and reiterated the call for a ceasefire.