Gaza Largest hospital ‘not functioning’ amid Israeli assault

Gaza (wev desk): Gaza’s largest hospital has ceased operations and the death toll among patients is rising, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday, as a violent Israeli attack continues in the Hamas-controlled territory.

Hospitals in the northern Palestinian enclave, including the Al-Shifa compound, are blockaded by Israeli forces and are struggling to treat patients as three newborns have died in Shifa and older children face blackouts due to power outages. According to medical staff, there was heavy fighting in the area. Israel says it is targeting Hamas, which carried out deadly attacks in southern Israel on October 7, and says the group has command centers under and near hospitals.

WHO managed to speak to health workers in Shifa, who described a “terrible and dangerous” situation. A situation of persistent bombing that worsens the already critical circumstances, said Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“Tragically, the number of patient deaths has increased significantly,” he said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding that Shifa “no longer operates as a hospital.” Tedros joined other senior UN officials in calling for an immediate ceasefire. “The world cannot remain silent as hospitals that should be safe havens are transformed into scenes of death, devastation and despair”.