Gaza: Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, has been rendered essentially out of service as a result of intensifying Israeli aggression in the area, according to Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. This situation has obstructed access to the facility, leaving patients unable to reach necessary medical care.

According to Qatar News Agency, Dr. Ghebreyesus highlighted on his official X account that the hospital is facing severe limitations, with access blocked and new patients unable to secure treatment. Despite these challenges, two emergency medical teams-comprising national and international personnel-continue to provide care to the remaining patients with dwindling medical supplies.

Dr. Ghebreyesus noted that the closure of Al-Amal Hospital leaves Nasser Medical Complex as the sole facility with an intensive care unit in Khan Yunis. Earlier reports from WHO indicated that both Al-Amal and Nasser Complex were already struggling with capacity issues due to the influx of injured individuals from ongoing Israeli bombings. This has been exacerbated by a critical shortage of essential medicines and medical equipment, stemming from a blockade that has persisted for over two months.

The humanitarian crisis has deepened since Israel launched a full-scale assault on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. Over 2.3 million Palestinians have been caught in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian disasters, with the United Nations repeatedly warning of an impending famine. The Israeli military operations have continued to target civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, shelters, and ambulances, worsening the situation for those in the region.