WHO chief Tedros Calls for Immediate Ceasefire and Protection of Healthcare in Gaza

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for an immediate cessation of attacks on hospitals in Gaza after recent Israeli strikes targeted medical facilities. In a post on social media platform X, Tedros emphasized the dire situation facing healthcare in the region, stating, “Hospitals in Gaza have once again become battlegrounds and the health system is under severe threat.”

His comments come in the wake of an Israeli strike on Gaza City’s Al Wafa hospital on Sunday, which resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense. Additionally, Israeli forces detained over 240 Palestinians, including medical staff from Kamal Adwan hospital, on Friday. Among those detained was the hospital’s director, Hussam Abu Safiya, who is suspected of being a Hamas operative, according to Israeli military sources.

Tedros condemned the actions, calling for the immediate release of Abu Safiya and highlighting that the Al-Ahli hospital had also faced attacks. He reiterated the need for humanitarian access, stating, “People in Gaza need access to health care. Humanitarians need access to provide health aid. Ceasefire!”

The WHO has been actively involved in delivering essential medical supplies, food, and water to Gaza’s Indonesian hospital and has facilitated the transfer of 10 critical patients to Al Shifa hospital, although four patients were detained during this transfer.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering toll, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting at least 45,514 Palestinians killed and 108,189 wounded since the onset of Israel’s military offensive following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Tedros urged Israel to uphold the healthcare needs and rights of the affected population, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire and protection of medical facilities.