Geneva, July 3 (RHC)--World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said the forced evacuation of the European Hospital in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis was “devastating to see.”

In a post on social media, Tedros said that all 320 patients and medical staff have now moved from the hospital “following the evacuation orders”, which were issued by Israel’s military ahead of an expected ground incursion of eastern Khan Younis.

“It is devastating to see the 650-bed-capacity hospital out of service at a time when access to health care is urgently needed,” Tedros said.

The Nasser Medical Complex – where patients were move to – is now a full capacity with 350 inpatients, and is short of medical supplies and drugs necessary for surgery, Tedros said.  He also called for the European Hospital to be spared attack.

“European Gaza Hospital – one of the largest referral hospitals in the south – must be protected and made operational immediately.  Gaza cannot afford to lose more hospitals,” he said.