Israel says WHO ‘selective silence' deafening after hospital hit in Iranian strike
GENEVA: Israel accused the World Health Organization of a deafening 'selective silence' after a hospital in southern Israel was hit in an Iranian missile strike on Thursday.
Daniel Meron, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, said the Soroka Hospital in Beersheba was a civilian facility.
In a video on X filmed outside the WHO's headquarters, he demanded a condemnation from the UN health agency.
A few hours later, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a statement saying the reports on attacks on health in the conflict between Iran and Israel were 'appalling', citing the hospital.
The Soroka Hospital was left in flames by a bombardment that Iran said targeted a military and intelligence base.
In his video, Meron was standing at the road entrance to the WHO's offices in Geneva, with the main building visible in the background.
'I'm here with a clear message to the WHO, to the director general of the WHO, Dr Tedros,' Meron said.
Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran conflict within two weeks, White House says
'A few hours ago, a ballistic missile was shot from Iran directly at the main hospital in the south of Israel, the Soroka Hospital. Dozens of people were wounded and hundreds were evacuated from this hospital.
'It is not a military site. It is a civilian hospital… the selective silence of the WHO is deafening.
'They must condemn the shooting of ballistic missiles and the targeting from Iran at civilian targets in Israel.'
The WHO has repeatedly mentioned damage to healthcare infrastructure in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war in the Palestinian territory, triggered by the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.
On Tuesday, the WHO said only 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were currently minimally to partially functional.
In a message later Thursday on X, Tedros said: 'The escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran is putting health facilities and access to health care at risk. The reports on the attacks on health so far are appalling.'
He cited 'this morning's attack on Soroka Medical Centre', and a hospital in Kermanshah in Iran being 'impacted by a nearby explosion'.
'We call on all parties to protect health facilities, health personnel and patients at all times,' said Tedros.
WHO's director for Europe Hans Kluge said he was 'deeply disturbed to learn of the attack on Soroka Hospital', having visited it following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
'Hospitals and health workers must never be targets – under any circumstances,' Kluge said.
Israel is in the WHO's Europe region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Gaza rescuers say Israeli fire kills 72
An injured man sits on the rubble of a building destroyed by an Israeli strike in Beit Lahia, Gaza. PHOTO:AFP Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces killed at least 72 people on Thursday, including 21 who had gathered near aid distribution sites as famine looms after more than 20 months of war. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that six people were killed while waiting for aid in the southern Gaza Strip and 15 others in a central area known as the Netzarim corridor, where thousands of Palestinians have gathered daily in the hope of receiving food rations. The Israeli army told AFP that its troops in Netzarim corridor — a strip of land militarised by Israel that bisects the Palestinian territory — had fired "warning shots" at "suspects" approaching them, but that it was "not aware of any injured individuals". The army did not comment on the incident reported in the south. In northern Gaza, Bassal said that nine separate Israeli strikes killed another 51 people, updating earlier tolls provided by his agency. Bassam Abu Shaar, who witnessed the shooting incident in the Netzarim area, said thousands of people had gathered there overnight in the hope of receiving aid at the US- and Israeli-backed distribution site when it opened in the morning. "Around 1:00 am (2200 GMT Wednesday), they started shooting at us," he told AFP by phone, reporting gunfire, tank shelling and bombs dropped by drones. Abu Shaar said that the size of the crowd had made it impossible for people to escape, with casualties left lying on the ground within walking distance of the distribution point, which is run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. "We couldn't help them or even escape ourselves," he said. At least 300 Palestinians have been killed in recent weeks while trying to reach aid distribution points in Gaza, which is suffering from famine-like conditions, the Hamas-run territory's health ministry has said. Israeli restrictions on media in the Gaza Strip and difficulties in accessing some areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers and authorities in the Palestinian territory. In early March, Israel imposed an aid blockade on Gaza amid a deadlock in truce negotiations, only partially easing restrictions in late May.
Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Counterfeit medicines: PM launches drive to eradicate black market
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday launched a bold drive to eradicate the lucrative and deadly black market for counterfeit medicines in the country, calling for urgent adoption of cutting-edge technology to tackle the growing menace. Chairing a high-level meeting focusing on the Ministry of National Health, Sharif made it clear there will be no tolerance for substandard drugs putting lives at risk. He urged pharmaceutical companies to seek accreditation from the World Health Organization (WHO). He said such recognition would raise the quality standards of Pakistani medicines and expand export opportunities. Sharif also directed officials to develop a roadmap for collaboration between welfare organisations and the private sector to improve medical services in Islamabad. He described providing top-quality healthcare to the public as a government priority. The prime minister stressed the importance of third-party validation for medical colleges to ensure high standards of education, warning that no compromises would be tolerated. He reiterated that political interference in health sector reforms would not be accepted. The Health Ministry officials briefed the prime minister on challenges facing the health sector and proposed sustainable solutions. They revealed plans to fully digitalise the registration process for medicines and medical equipment by the end of next month. Additionally, efforts are underway to integrate newly established basic health units, regional blood centres, and the Isolation Hospital and Infection Treatment Centre in Islamabad into the mainstream healthcare system with support from the country's affluent class. In a separate meeting, Sharif reviewed progress on the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Center project in Islamabad, stressing the need for transparency throughout all stages. He described the complex as a future state-of-the-art hospital that will provide advanced medical services and research facilities to the region. The meeting was told that promotional roadshows had been held in China, Turkey, South Korea, and Singapore, attracting interest from globally renowned companies. Two major conferences related to the project also saw participation from 33 companies across 10 countries. The process to acquire 600 acres of land for the complex is reportedly progressing rapidly, with international advertisements placed to recruit experts and consultants. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
11 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Gaza rescuers say Israeli fire kills 72
GAZA CITY: Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces killed at least 72 people on Thursday, including 21 who had gathered near aid distribution sites as famine looms after more than 20 months of war. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that six people were killed while waiting for aid in the southern Gaza Strip and 15 others in a central area known as the Netzarim corridor, where thousands of Palestinians have gathered daily in the hope of receiving food rations. The Israeli army told AFP that its troops in Netzarim corridor – a strip of land militarised by Israel that bisects the Palestinian territory – had fired 'warning shots' at 'suspects' approaching them, but that it was 'not aware of any injured individuals'. The army did not comment on the incident reported in the south. In northern Gaza, Bassal said that nine separate Israeli strikes killed another 51 people, updating earlier tolls provided by his agency. Bassam Abu Shaar, who witnessed the shooting incident in the Netzarim area, said thousands of people had gathered there overnight in the hope of receiving aid at the US- and Israeli-backed distribution site when it opened in the morning. Gaza rescuers say Israel army kills at least 50 people near aid site 'Around 1:00 am (2200 GMT Wednesday), they started shooting at us,' he told AFP by phone, reporting gunfire, tank shelling and bombs dropped by drones. Abu Shaar said that the size of the crowd had made it impossible for people to escape, with casualties left lying on the ground within walking distance of the distribution point, which is run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. 'We couldn't help them or even escape ourselves,' he said. At least 300 Palestinians have been killed in recent weeks while trying to reach aid distribution points in Gaza, which is suffering from famine-like conditions, the Hamas-run territory's health ministry has said. Israeli restrictions on media in the Gaza Strip and difficulties in accessing some areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers and authorities in the Palestinian territory. In early March, Israel imposed an aid blockade on Gaza amid a deadlock in truce negotiations, only partially easing restrictions in late May. After Israel loosened its blockade, the privately run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing aid, but its operations have been marred by chaotic scenes. UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the foundation – which has the support of Israel and its ally the United States – over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.
