By Quds News Network
Gaza (Quds News Network)- World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the conditions at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza “appalling,” as the area has been under relentless Israeli assaults and a military siege for more than 70 days.
He said Israeli occupation authorities have arbitrarily denied four missions to the facility in the past week, including the re-deployment of an international medical team that had evacuated from the hospital on December 6 due to the Israeli attacks.
“Recent attacks have further damaged the oxygen supply, generators, and broken windows and doors of the patients’ rooms,” Tedros wrote on X.
“The conditions in the hospital are simply appalling. We urge for the protection of health care and for this hell to stop! Ceasefire!”
[https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1868728190048649727]
Since October 5, when Israel launched a new offensive on northern Gaza, believed to be part of the so-called Generals’ Plan, Kamal Adwan hospital has been under siege, with no humanitarian aid – medical supplies, water, or life-sustaining resources – available to people there because of the ongoing deliberate prevention by the Israeli military.
The vicinity of Kamal Adwan Hospital has become a notorious site, with ongoing, repeated attacks by Israeli tank shells, quadcopters and drone missiles.
Last night, Israeli forces destroyed the facility’s power generators and snipers fired at staff in the intensive care unit.
There are more than 64 patients still in the besieged facility, according to Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of the hospital, including patients in intensive care who require oxygen and water.
“Since yesterday until now, we have barely slept due to the continuous and deliberate Israeli shelling of the hospital,” Abu Safiya said on Tuesday.
“The third floor was targeted. We were in the operating rooms performing surgery on one of the injured when we came under attack. As a result of the shelling, we received five additional injuries, including one patient whose left foot we had to amputate.”
“The third floor was set on fire, and the water tank was destroyed. The Intensive Care Unit was also targeted while patients were inside. There were terrifying sounds in the hospital yard, and we saw a military vehicle approaching the hospital. Barrels were placed, and three of them exploded, causing panic and terror in the hospital. The doors and windows were destroyed, and the shelling has continued without stopping until now.”
“Drones are continuously dropping bombs on the hospital. Anyone moving inside the hospital risks injury or death.”
“There is currently no electricity, water, or oxygen at all. We are working to repair part of the infrastructure that was targeted, but it is clear that the whole world either does not see or does not want to see what is happening. It seems they are waiting to see the bodies under the rubble of Kamal Adwan Hospital, and that is the harsh truth.”
17 December 2024
Source: countercurrents.org