The World Health Organisation has urgently called for protection of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital after a reported raid after several days of siege.
Writing on X, WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was “extremely” worried” about the reports of the raid.
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“According to the Ministry of Health, there are 65 patients including several needing intensive care, and 45 medical staff in the hospital,” he wrote.
“The hospital was already minimally functional due to acute shortages of fuel, water, food, and medical supplies even before the siege.
“WHO urgently calls for the protection of all persons inside the hospital. WHO further calls for an immediate ceasefire and for sustained humanitarian access to health facilities across the Gaza Strip.”
The hospital was “forcefully evacuated” on Tuesday morning, having been surrounded by Israeli troops and tanks for days.
Armed clashes were reportedly happening nearby, and on Monday, the hospital’s maternity ward was reportedly hit, killing two mothers.
WHO said earlier only 11 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals were partially functional – one in the north and 10 in the south of the enclave.
In addition, over 70 per cent of primary health care facilities are also not functioning at regular capacity, Dr Richard Peeperkorn from WHO said.