Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), announced Sunday that Nasser Medical Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, has ceased operations following a week-long siege, which was then followed by ongoing airstrikes.

"Nasser hospital in Gaza is not functional anymore, after a weeklong siege followed by the ongoing raid," Ghebreyesus stated.

He further revealed that despite efforts by the WHO team to assess the conditions of patients and address critical medical needs, they were denied entry to the hospital compound on both the preceding days, even though they had arrived to deliver fuel in collaboration with partners.

Currently, approximately 200 patients remain in the hospital, with at least 20 requiring urgent referral to other medical facilities to receive essential care. Ghebreyesus emphasized that medical referral is a fundamental right for every patient and underscored that any delays in this process could result in the loss of patients' lives.

"The cost of delays will be paid by patients’ lives," he warned.

Ghebreyesus urged for facilitated access to patients and the hospital, stressing the importance of ensuring that medical assistance reaches those in need without impediment.