Following an assessment at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, specialists from the World Health Organization concluded that the facility could no longer operate. This assessment was communicated by the head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who spoke about the mission’s findings and the severity of the conditions observed on the ground. The remarks came as part of the WHO’s ongoing effort to document the impact of the crisis on health care infrastructure and to advocate for rapid humanitarian action.
The evaluation team described the hospital environment as extremely dangerous and unsustainable for patient care. The conditions highlighted by the WHO director reflected a systemic breakdown in essential services and resources that are normally required to keep a hospital functional. The team emphasized that critical supplies, including water, food, electricity, and fuel, were either absent or severely limited, and drug stocks had been exhausted. In response, healthcare workers at Al-Shifa reportedly urged the evacuation of patients who could no longer receive treatment under current conditions.
The head of the WHO characterized the situation as unacceptable and lacking justification, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian corridors and safe access for medical teams. The report from the mission called for immediate steps to restore medical care capacity and to protect patients and staff from harm amid ongoing hostilities.
In the broader regional context, media reports from Arabic broadcasting channels during the period of the assessment noted tensions and criticisms directed at military and security actors. These reports emphasized the heavy burden on hospitals in Gaza and the challenges faced by medical personnel attempting to maintain operations under extreme pressure. Analysts familiar with regional health crises highlighted the fragile state of health service delivery in conflict zones and the critical role of international oversight in ensuring medical neutrality and access to care for civilians.
Historically, hospitals in Gaza have faced recurrent interruptions to supplies and utilities during periods of intensified conflict. The WHO’s statement followed a pattern of alerts issued when medical facilities encounter extended outages or are forced to limit services due to safety concerns, shortages, or damage. The organization has repeatedly called for secure corridors, uninterrupted fuel and power supply, and reliable access to essential medicines to prevent collateral losses in civilian health outcomes. The current assessment at Al-Shifa adds to this record, signaling an urgent need for coordinated humanitarian response and protective action for health workers and patients alike.
Experts stress that even in times of crisis, medical centers should remain accessible to those most in need. The WHO’s assessment aligns with broader international calls for respect of medical facilities as protected spaces, and for immediate measures to ensure that lifesaving care can continue where it is most desperately needed. The organization continues to monitor developments and to work with partners to facilitate safe and timely medical interventions.
As this situation unfolds, relief organizations and health authorities stress the importance of clear humanitarian corridors, fuel and power supplies, and robust stock management to prevent further deterioration of health outcomes. The international community is urged to support rapid provisioning of essential medications and equipment, along with the necessary staffing and security guarantees for frontline health workers. The assessments and statements from the WHO are positioned as part of a broader push to safeguard civilian health and to minimize the long-term harm caused by protracted emergencies.
Notes from the field emphasize the urgent need for continuous monitoring, rapid access to diagnostics and treatment, and the protection of hospital staff who operate under perilous conditions. Health officials assert that preserving the ability to treat patients in facilities like Al-Shifa is essential for the broader resilience of health systems in conflict settings and for reducing preventable suffering in the civilian population. The emphasis remains on keeping medical services functional and accessible, despite the severe constraints that NGOs and international agencies face in such environments.
Cited observations and subsequent recommendations from the WHO and partner organizations continue to guide humanitarian planning. The aim is to secure safe passage for medical teams, restore water and power supplies, replenish stockpiles of medicines and consumables, and ensure reliable patient evacuation processes when necessary. The priority remains clear: protect health care capacity, uphold medical neutrality, and minimize the impact on vulnerable communities receiving care at Al-Shifa and other facilities in Gaza.