The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip stopped coordinating with the World Health Organization (WHO) on the evacuation of the wounded and medics because of the incident with the detention of medical workers. The official spokesman for the agency, Ashraf al-Qudra, told Al Jazeera.
"Yesterday, a convoy of vehicles affiliated with WHO attempted to evacuate patients and medical staff from Al-Shifa Hospital. However, it was reported that the Israeli military halted the convoy at the border between the northern and southern parts of the enclave on Wednesday night. The vehicles were detained for nearly seven hours, during which the medical personnel, patients, and their escorts faced violence from the Israeli army. Several medics, including Al-Shifa's Director Mohammed Abu Silmiya, were detained. The responsibility for these events is placed on the United Nations (UN), and urgent action is expected for resolution. The Ministry of Health has decided to suspend all coordination with WHO for evacuating the remaining patients and medical staff from the hospital until a comprehensive report on the incident is provided," emphasized al-Qudra.
"The presence of the UN and the evacuation under their patronage jeopardized the safety of our medical personnel," - he added. -"WHO has not offered any explanation to the Ministry of Health regarding the incident and has not provided information on the precise number and identities of the detainees."
Simultaneously, on Thursday, the Palestinian movement Hamas issued an appeal to international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and WHO, seeking assistance in securing the release of the director and doctors from Al-Shifa Hospital who have been detained by the Israeli military.
Earlier reports from Al Hadath, citing the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, indicated that three emergency room doctors were detained on Wednesday in the Gaza Strip.
Additionally, Al Mayadeen, a Lebanese TV channel, reported that the Israeli military detained the director of Al-Shifa Hospital, Abu Silmiya. Israel's Galei Tzahal radio asserted that Abu Silmiya was detained while attempting to evacuate to the south of the enclave.
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Based on materials from TASS