WHO Reports No Warning Before Israeli Attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that it received no prior warning regarding the Israeli military's attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, which occurred early Thursday morning. This assault resulted in the deaths of over 30 individuals, as reported by Rick Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territories. He emphasized that the hospital is currently operating at minimal capacity, putting patients' lives at significant risk.
Following the raid, which lasted several hours, the Israeli army withdrew from the hospital after arresting medical staff and patients, and forcibly evacuating those present. The surrounding areas experienced intense aerial bombardments, further complicating the hospital's ability to provide care, as it received a large influx of casualties. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital's director, reported that the facility had endured multiple Israeli raids, resulting in numerous fatalities, including four medical personnel, exacerbating the already dire medical situation due to a severe shortage of resources caused by the ongoing Israeli siege.
Targeting of Medical Institutions Raises Concerns
The situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital is indicative of a broader pattern of targeting medical facilities amid the ongoing conflict. Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal confirmed that the Israeli forces stormed the hospital, emptying it of patients and detaining several Palestinians. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has condemned these actions, suggesting they are part of a strategy to force the displacement of the Palestinian population by systematically destroying essential services like hospitals.
Hamas has called for an international investigation into these attacks, labeling them as violations of international law and emphasizing the urgent need for the international community to intervene. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, with hospitals struggling to function under the pressures of military action and resource shortages, further endangering the lives of civilians in the region.
