GAZA CITY, Gaza – Kamal Adwan Hospital has been rendered non-operational following a recent raid and ongoing assaults since October. In a pressing statement issued on December 28, 2024, health officials voiced their alarm:
“The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns the attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital, which has now incapacitated the last major healthcare facility in North Gaza. After more than 80 days under siege, the healthcare system is collapsing, endangering the lives of the 75,000 Palestinians who remain in the region.”
Preliminary investigations reveal that the raid caused extensive damage to crucial hospital areas, including the laboratory, surgical unit, engineering and maintenance department, operations theatre, and medical storage. Earlier incidents forced the emergency evacuation of twelve patients and a female staff member to the severely compromised Indonesian Hospital, significantly impairing the ability to deliver critical care. Meanwhile, numerous individuals were reportedly coerced into evacuating towards southern Gaza, amidst chaotic conditions. The local healthcare environment has spiraled into a crisis, with nearly daily assaults on medical facilities and personnel. This week, recent bombardments in the area resulted in the tragic loss of 50 lives, including five staff members from Kamal Adwan Hospital.
The hospital is now deserted. Last evening, the remaining 15 critically ill patients, along with 50 caregivers and 20 healthcare workers, were transferred to Indonesian Hospital, which is woefully ill-equipped to provide adequate medical services. The precarious movement of these patients under such dire circumstances poses serious risks to their survival. WHO expresses grave concerns for their safety, as well as for the hospital director, who has been uncontactable since the raid began.
An urgent WHO mission is scheduled for tomorrow to facilitate the safe relocation of patients to southern Gaza for continued medical care.
This raid symbolizes a troubling escalation in restrictions and attacks on healthcare access. Since early October 2024, WHO has documented at least 50 assaults on health facilities in the vicinity. Despite urgent needs for emergency and trauma care, only 10 out of 21 WHO missions to Kamal Adwan have been partially successful in the past months. During these missions, essential supplies including 45,000 liters of fuel, medical instruments, blood products, and nourishment were delivered, facilitating the transfer of 114 patients and 123 companions to Al-Shifa Hospital. Regrettably, efforts to deploy international emergency medical teams have been repeatedly thwarted.
Collaborative efforts between WHO and allied partners to maintain hospital operations have been tragically compromised. With both Kamal Adwan and Indonesian hospitals inactive, and Al-Awda Hospital functioning at minimal capacity post-airstrikes, the healthcare lifeline for North Gaza is nearing collapse.
WHO urgently calls for the restoration of functioning hospitals in North Gaza.
Once again, hospitals have become the frontline in the conflict, echoing earlier devastations inflicted on the healthcare infrastructure within Gaza City.
“Since October 2023, WHO has persistently urged the protection of health workers and facilities in accordance with international humanitarian law. Unfortunately, these pleas have gone unheeded,” officials stated. “Medical facilities, personnel, and patients should remain sanctuaries; they must always be safeguarded and never targeted or utilized for military operations. The principles of precaution, distinction, and proportionality outlined in International Humanitarian Law are unwavering and must be upheld.”
