KUALA LUMPUR: Israel's attack on the Indonesian hospital in Gaza has killed at least 12 people.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) in a statement said many others were also seriously injured.
WHO lambasted the attack saying that health workers and civilians should never have to be exposed to such horror.
.@WHO is appalled by the attack today on the Indonesian Hospital in North Gaza, which reportedly resulted in the killing of at least 12 persons including patients and their companions residing at the hospital.https://t.co/w39gBnHQ4E#NotATarget pic.twitter.com/vGFrlq070P
— WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (@WHOEMRO) November 20, 2023
"WHO is appalled by the attack on the Indonesian Hospital in North Gaza, which reportedly resulted in the killing of at least 12 persons including patients and their companions residing at the hospital.
"According to reports, tens of people were also injured in the attack, including some with critical and life-threatening injuries," the organisation said.
It said the hospital remains under siege, with no permission granted for individuals to enter or exit the medical facility.
Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu Azzoum reports on the latest Israeli strike targeting the Indonesian Hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/5Nq9zIj4Bs
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 20, 2023
"There have been reports of shooting towards those attempting to leave but no injuries or fatalities thus far," it said.
WHO expressed concern over the fact that healthcare facilities have been targeted in the past six weeks which resulted in forced mass evacuations from hospitals and multiple casualties.
It has documented 335 incidents of attacks on healthcare in the occupied Palestinian territory since Oct 7, comprising 164 attacks in the Gaza Strip and 171 attacks in the West Bank.
There were also 33 attacks on health care facilities in Israel during the violent events.
"That has resulted in forced mass evacuations from hospitals, and multiple fatalities and casualties among patients, their companions, and those who had sought refuge in hospitals.
"The Indonesian Hospital had already reportedly sustained damages due to at least five attacks since Oct 7.
Hospital bed capacity in Gaza has gone down from 3,500 beds before Oct 7 to only 1,400 beds at present.
"The world cannot stand silent while these hospitals, which should be safe havens, are transformed into scenes of death, devastation, and despair.
"WHO reminds the parties to the conflict of their obligation under International Humanitarian Law to respect the sanctity of, and actively protect, health facilities," it said.
