New York (Web Desk): The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated his plea for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after two Israeli airstrikes hit the Nasser Hospital in the southern part of the Strip on Monday, resulting in multiple fatalities.
WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that the strikes killed at least 20 people, including four healthcare workers and five journalists. An additional 50 individuals sustained injuries, among them patients who were already critically ill and receiving treatment.
Dr. Tedros expressed deep concern over the continuous targeting of medical facilities, stating that access to healthcare—already severely limited in Gaza—is being further crippled by ongoing attacks. “People are being starved, and the little healthcare available is under attack.
The message must be clear: stop attacking health services. A ceasefire is needed now,” he urged.
The airstrikes damaged the hospital’s main building, which houses essential services such as the emergency department, inpatient wards, and surgical units. The emergency stairwell was also affected in the incident.
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), also spoke out on social media following the strikes.
He described the targeting of journalists and aid workers as an attempt to silence those reporting on the humanitarian crisis, including child deaths and famine, in the face of global apathy. Lazzarini appealed for humanity to take precedence, calling for open access to aid, protection for journalists and humanitarian personnel, and a political commitment to end the suffering.
The conflict, which began nearly two years ago after deadly attacks led by Hamas in Israel, has claimed the lives of more than 240 journalists in Gaza, according to UN figures. The initial assault killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 250 individuals being taken hostage, with some still held in Gaza.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a strong condemnation of the latest hospital bombing, calling for a thorough and unbiased investigation into the incident. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, highlighted the grave dangers faced by journalists and medical professionals in the region and emphasized the importance of allowing them to carry out their work safely, in line with international humanitarian law.
Among the journalists killed was Mariam Abu Dagga, who had collaborated with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) last year to document life in Gaza through a photo essay.
The UN emphasized that journalists and medical staff must be able to operate without threats or harm, and reiterated demands for a sustained ceasefire, full humanitarian access, and the release of all hostages.
Later in the day, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office released a statement acknowledging the incident, expressing regret over what it termed a “tragic mishap” at the Nasser Hospital.
The overall death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 61,000, as reported by local health authorities. Food insecurity is worsening, with experts confirming that famine has already taken hold in Gaza Governorate and is likely to spread further. In just the past day, 11 more people have died due to hunger and malnutrition, pushing the total number of such deaths to 300.
Meanwhile, displacement continues across the enclave. Between August 20 and 24, it is estimated that approximately 5,000 individuals fled from northern Gaza to Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younis. Another 8,000 reportedly moved toward the western parts of Gaza City. Since the end of the previous ceasefire in mid-March, more than 800,000 people have been newly displaced.
Aid operations continue to face serious logistical hurdles. On Sunday, only seven out of fifteen planned humanitarian missions—requiring coordination with Israeli authorities—were successfully carried out.
Some were canceled or outright denied, while others were obstructed or only partially completed. These missions included the distribution of fuel, food, and vaccines.
The impact on education is also severe. As children elsewhere prepare to return to school, students in Gaza remain deprived of learning opportunities. Several schools being used as shelters for displaced families have also been targeted.
With local authorities preparing for final high school exams for more than 35,000 students in the coming two weeks, the UN has renewed its call for the protection of educational institutions in accordance with international law.