WHO: Gaza’s primary hospital is now partially operational again

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Gebreysus, recently announced that Gaza’s main medical facility, Shifa Hospital, has resumed partial operations. This development comes after the hospital’s closure following an Israeli military action in early November.

On a social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Gebreysus shared that the WHO had supplied Shifa Hospital with 9,300 liters (2,460 gallons) of fuel. This aid has enabled a medical team of 60 to start treating more than 1,000 patients. Currently, the hospital has an operational emergency room and a surgical ward with a capacity of 40 beds.

The hospital was the focus of a significant Israeli operation in November, with Israel claiming it targeted the hospital because it concealed a Hamas command and control center. However, the evidence Israel provided, showing rooms in tunnels beneath the hospital, didn’t conclusively support this claim.

Ghebreysus emphasized the necessity of protecting health facilities and ensuring they are never targeted or used for military purposes. He also called for an increase in fuel and medical supplies for hospitals in Gaza.