Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director of the World Health Organization (WHO), strongly denounced the Tuesday attacks on the Palestine Red Crescent Society headquarters in Gaza, calling them “unconscionable.” Tedros drew attention to the severe humanitarian crisis that the people of Gaza are experiencing and underlined that health should never be a target during conflicts.
According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Israel attacked its offices in Khan Yunis, a city in the south, resulting in casualties and injuries among displaced people who were taking shelter there and at a nearby hospital.
Tedros deplored the strikes on the PRCS-run Al-Amal hospital and reported that WHO staff and colleagues from the UN humanitarian agency OCHA observed extensive damage and displacement of civilians during their mission to the facilities. He noted that 14,000 people were sheltering at the hospital, and many were now fearful for their safety and planning to leave.
The WHO chief emphasized the importance of protecting hospitals, ambulances, health workers, and individuals seeking care, stating that such actions are required under international humanitarian law. He described the current bombardments as unconscionable and highlighted the already strained health system in Gaza.
Tedros reaffirmed his appeal for an early end to hostilities and urged prompt action to supply food, water, and medical supplies to the residents in Gaza who are living in substandard conditions. He said he was disappointed by the meagre medical evacuations from Palestinian land, deeming them intolerable in light of the catastrophic humanitarian crisis that has occurred during the last three months.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israel has been attacking the Gaza Strip with heavy artillery and ground forces since October 7. This has left a large number of victims, mostly women and children.