GAZA CITY: UN experts have expressed deep concern over what they describe as a severe violation of health rights in Gaza, following a recent raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital. The raid also involved the detention of the hospital’s director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, amid ongoing conflict in the region.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, and Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, have called for an immediate cessation of actions that undermine health rights in Gaza. The experts highlighted a disturbing pattern of attacks on healthcare facilities, pointing to the destruction of the majority of hospitals in the area, with Kamal Adwan Hospital being the latest target.
The UN experts reported that Dr. Abu Safiya was detained for refusing to evacuate patients and colleagues during the assault. They also noted that he had recently witnessed the death of his son and sustained injuries while on duty, yet continued to provide care amid ongoing bombardment. The experts emphasized that medical personnel should receive protection under international humanitarian law, underscoring that they are not legitimate military targets.
Reports from the area suggest that Israeli forces may have conducted extrajudicial executions near the hospital, including the shooting of a Palestinian man allegedly holding a white flag. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 1,057 Palestinian health and medical professionals, with many others detained.
The UN officials condemned these actions as violations of international law, urging Israeli authorities to respect the rights to life and health in Gaza. They called for the immediate release of Dr. Abu Safiya and other detained healthcare workers and demanded a halt to attacks on medical facilities.
The experts warned that such assaults could constitute war crimes and called for accountability from Israeli leaders. They urged an end to the ongoing violence in Gaza and the restoration of essential health services to protect the civilian population during this critical time.