WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus has “urgently” called for the protection of patients, staff and civilians as Israeli forces have “invaded” the al-Awda Hospital, which has been under siege from Israel’s troops and tanks since Sunday.

In a post on social media, Tedros said 140 medical staff, patients and their civilian companions were inside the hospital when it was raided by Israeli soldiers earlier today.

Troops ordered everyone to leave except 12 members of staff, including the hospital director, 14 patients and eight companions.

Tedros appealed for those ordered to remain behind by Israeli forces to be protected and allowed to leave safely.

“WHO urgently calls for the protection of patients, companions and health workers inside the hospital and safe passage for their evacuation,” he said.

Earlier, the WHO chief said the Kamal Adwan Hospital, also in northern Gaza’s Jabalia area, was “no longer functioning” after all patients and staff were evacuated following multiple Israeli missile strikes on the facility on Wednesday.