'Best way' to ensure safety of patients, civilians at Al-Shifa Hospital not evacuation but 'stopping hostilities': WHO

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said that the "best way" to ensure the safety of patients as well as civilians taking shelter at Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital is not evacuation but "stopping hostilities now."

Taking Anadolu's question at a UN press conference in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said the hostilities should be stopped for the sake of "saving lives, not taking lives."

On the Israeli army’s order to evacuate the hospital, Gaza’s largest, Harris said that it would not possible to evacuate 700 at-risk patients, underlining it would be "very hard," even if they have to move if and when the hospital stops working due to lack of fuel, as most in Gaza have.

She noted that the WHO still defines Al-Shifa Hospital as a functioning hospital due to "heroic efforts."

As the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip nears its 40th day, at least 11,180 Palestinians have been killed, including over 7,700 women and children, and more than 28,200 others have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings including hospitals, mosques and churches have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave since last month.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is nearly 1,200, according to official figures.