With the images of the Israeli bombing of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza and the killing as a result of hundreds of Palestinian civilians still vivid in the minds of the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) this morning expressed concern over an Israel warning to Al-Quds Hospital in northern Gaza Strip to evacuate patients and refuge seekers before attacking it.
“Worrying reports of evacuation orders sent to Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza. Sick and injured patients, and health workers, are inside. Hundreds more — mostly women and children — are seeking shelter on the hospital’s grounds. The sanctity of health care must be respected at all times,” WHO said in a tweet.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, also expressed concern in a tweet about the call to evacuate the hospital.
“Disturbing reports about evacuation order to Al-Quds Hospital,” he said.
“As WHO has repeatedly stressed, it is impossible for these overcrowded hospitals to safely evacuate patients. They must be allowed to perform their lifesaving functions. They must be protected,” he stressed.
Palestinian Minister of Health, Mai Alkaila, last night urgently appealed to the international community and all international human rights organizations to intervene and protect Al Quds Hospital from the threat of bombardment by the Israeli occupation authorities.
She expressed fear Al-Quds Hospital may face the same tragic fate as Al Ahli Baptist Hospital, bombed last Tuesday by the Israeli warplanes killing some 500 Palestinian civilians, including children.
Source: WAFA
