“Since this morning’s reports of a raid of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, we have lost touch with the personnel there,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on the social media platform X.

“This development is deeply disturbing given the number of patients being served and people sheltering there,” he added.

North Gaza has been under an intense military operation with thousands of civilians said to be cut off from humanitarian aid and protection, amid dwindling food and other life sustaining essentials.

Tedros said Kamal Adwan Hospital “has been overflowing with close to 200 patients – a constant stream of horrific trauma cases”.

Hundreds of displaced people are also seeking shelter there.

Medical aid mission

The raid occurred a day after WHO and partners managed to reach Kamal Adwan Hospital amid the ongoing hostilities in the north.

Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, was on the complex mission, which involved two trucks with supplies and fuel, and five ambulances, and lasted for more than 20 hours.

The team transferred 23 patients and 26 caregivers south to Al-Shifa Hospital, located in Gaza City.

They also delivered 10,000 litres of fuel, 180 units of blood, and trauma surgery and alcohol supplies to cover 1,600 interventions to Kamal Adwan.

Al-Shifa also received lab supplies, anaesthesia, medicines and antibiotics were also delivered to Al-Shifa Hospital to cover the health needs of 6,000 people

More to follow...