The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a strong condemnation of the recent attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip. The hospital, which was actively providing care to patients, healthcare workers, and internally displaced people, faced a devastating assault resulting in numerous casualties.
Early reports suggest that the attack has caused hundreds of fatalities and injuries, painting a grim picture of the situation in the region. Al Ahli Arab Hospital was among 20 healthcare facilities in the north of the Gaza Strip that had received evacuation orders from the Israeli military. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing insecurity, the critical conditions of many patients, a lack of ambulances, medical staff shortages, inadequate healthcare bed capacity, and insufficient alternative shelter for displaced individuals, these evacuation orders have been nearly impossible to execute.
In response to these distressing developments, WHO is urgently calling for the active protection of civilians and healthcare facilities. They are urging the reversal of the evacuation orders to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those affected. International humanitarian law mandates the active protection of healthcare facilities and the prevention of any deliberate targeting of such facilities.
The situation in the northern Gaza Strip remains critical, and swift action is required to prevent further suffering and loss of life. WHO’s statement underscores the vital importance of upholding international humanitarian law and ensuring that healthcare is never compromised in times of conflict.
