WHO chief deplores attacks on ambulances near hospital in Gaza

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) — The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday deplored attacks on ambulances close to a major hospital in the Gaza Strip.

"Utterly shocked by reports of attacks on ambulances evacuating patients close to Al-Shifa hospital in #Gaza, leading to deaths, injuries and damage," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X.

He stressed that patients, health workers, facilities, and ambulances "must be protected at all times," and called for an immediate cease-fire.

Thirteen Palestinians were killed and 26 others injured in an Israeli bombing earlier on Friday that targeted ambulances in front of the main gate of the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, according to the enclave's Health Ministry.

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

More than 10,700 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 9,227 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Nearly 10,800 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 9,227 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

Besides the large number of casualties and displacement, basic supplies are running low for Gaza's 2.3 million residents due to the Israeli siege.