A human rights call to release the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital and stop the attack on health facilities in Gaza

Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, and Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right to the highest standards of physical and mental health, said in a press statement: “Israel’s blatant assault on the right to health in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory, more than a year after the genocide, is leading to new levels of impunity.”

The two experts* expressed alarm at reports from northern Gaza, especially attacks on health care workers. They added: “We are deeply concerned about the fate of Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, another doctor who was kidnapped and arbitrarily detained by the occupation forces, this time because he defied evacuation orders and (refused) to leave his patients and colleagues.”

The two experts pointed out that Dr. Abu Safiya’s son was killed in front of him and that the doctor was injured while performing his duty as a result of “acts of genocide by Israel.” They said that despite this, Abu Safiya continued to provide care while the hospital was under constant bombardment and threats.

The two experts urged Israel to end its current attack on Gaza and stop its attacks on medical facilities. They stressed the need for the Israeli authorities to ensure the release of Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya and all arbitrarily detained health workers.

Civilians are not safe

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that civilians in Gaza are not safe anywhere in the Strip. He pointed to the issuance of new Israeli evacuation orders for large areas in the northern Gaza and Deir al-Balah governorates. Since the issuance of these orders, which Israel attributed to the launching of missiles at it, there have been reports of shelling of the Al-Mawasi area, to which residents were ordered to move and reside.

Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the Palestine Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), said that this is an additional reminder that there is no “A humanitarian zone, let alone a safe zone.”. He warned in a press statement that every day that passes without a ceasefire brings more tragedies.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that more than 80% of the Gaza Strip is subject to Israeli evacuation orders. The office warned – in light of this situation – that the ability of humanitarian agencies to support those in need of assistance across Gaza would be further reduced.

December saw some of the most severe restrictions on humanitarian movements. This included denying access to border areas to collect supplies, and rejecting attempts to deliver goods and services or humanitarian access needs throughout the Gaza Strip.

In general, the Israeli authorities rejected 39% of the United Nations attempts to transfer relief workers anywhere in the Gaza Strip, and 18% of the attempts faced obstacles on the ground. As for the besieged areas of North Gaza Governorate, humanitarian access has been denied for 88 consecutive days, since October 6, 2024.

West Bank

In the West Bank, OCHA, UNRWA and humanitarian partners conducted an assessment following the operation carried out by Israeli forces in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps last week on 24 and 25 December.

Initial estimates by the team, which visited the area on Tuesday, indicated that more than 1,000 residential units and 100 shops were damaged due to explosions and bulldozing. More than 20 families, consisting of more than 90 people, were displaced. The damage to infrastructure disrupted water, electricity and sewage networks.

In response to this situation, OCHA has mobilized humanitarian efforts from UN partners who are transporting water to the population. It is also expected to install new water tanks, sewage suction, and distribute hygiene supplies and emergency cash assistance.

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