WHO Urges Immediate Safeguarding Of Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital In Gaza

The World Health Organization has raised a red flag over the rapidly deteriorating healthcare situation in Gaza, warning that the region’s medical infrastructure is on the brink of collapse. Nasser Medical Complex, a vital referral hub, and Al-Amal Hospital are now facing imminent shutdown. In northern Gaza, not a single hospital remains operational.

These two facilities in Khan Younis—the only public hospitals still active in the area—are serving a displaced and densely packed population. Should they become non-operational, countless people would be left without access to urgent medical care.

Though no direct evacuation orders have been given for patients or staff, both hospitals are situated within or adjacent to the zone designated for evacuation on 2 June. Health authorities have been informed by Israeli officials that the access roads leading to these facilities will be blocked. This would make it nearly impossible for patients and medical teams to enter or exit, rendering both hospitals effectively cut off. Any further deterioration could result in the total collapse of services, due to safety concerns, lack of mobility, and inability to deliver medical supplies or relocate patients.

Currently, Nasser and Al-Amal are stretched far beyond their normal capacity, receiving a steady stream of critically injured people. Yet, both facilities are facing a severe lack of crucial medicines and supplies. If these hospitals go out of service, it would jeopardize care for individuals requiring surgeries, intensive treatment, transfusions, cancer management, and dialysis support.

The shutdown of both hospitals would remove nearly 500 beds from Gaza’s already strained healthcare network, slashing the total number of functioning beds to under 1,400. That’s about 40% fewer than what was available before the conflict began—despite serving a population of 2 million people.

Healthcare infrastructure in Gaza has suffered repeated blows over an extended period. This destruction must stop. For more than 20 months, medical workers and aid organizations have managed to keep some semblance of care available despite daunting conditions. Yet continuous bombardments, restricted humanitarian aid, and lack of access have relentlessly undermined what remains of the healthcare system.

“WHO calls for urgent protection of Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital to ensure they remain accessible, functional and safe from attacks and hostilities. Patients seeking refuge and care to save their lives must not risk losing them trying to reach hospitals. Hospitals must never be militarized or targeted.”

The organization also insists that life-saving medicines and critical medical supplies be allowed into Gaza without delay, using every available route to deliver them.

“WHO calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire.”