WHO statement on Gaza: Israel is blocking patient evacuations

While Israel's evacuation demand for the Kamal Adwan, Al-Awda, and Indonesian hospitals in northern Gaza deepens the health crisis in the region, a statement on the matter has come from the World Health Organization (WHO). In a written statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that efforts to transfer critically ill patients from the three hospitals requested for evacuation to Al-Ahli and Al-Shifa hospitals have been blocked by Israel for two days.

Stating that "another mission is planned for tomorrow," Ghebreyesus said, "Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals remain partially functional but are struggling due to a lack of supplies.

The Indonesian hospital is no longer able to provide services and cannot accept patients," he said.

"WHO IS DEEPLY CONCERNED"

Sharing information that a mission planned to supply fuel, blood units, and medical supplies to the As-Sahabah hospital in Gaza was also blocked, Ghebreyesus said, "The ongoing conflicts over the last 12 months have shown what kind of disasters and dangers forced evacuations and clashes around hospitals can cause for patients, health workers, and health infrastructure."

Noting that the WHO is "deeply concerned" about the health crisis in the region, Ghebreyesus said, "We call on Israel to facilitate critical humanitarian aid missions and to work toward a ceasefire."

News Source: İHA