The rapporteurs demanded the immediate release of Dr. Hossam Abou Safiya and other healthcare professionals who have been arbitrarily detained.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 45,581 deaths in Gaza, including over 17,000 children, and more than 108,438 injuries, with many victims presumed buried under rubble or succumbing to diseases.

Currently, Gaza is facing a humanitarian crisis, with over 1.1 million people experiencing catastrophic hunger, according to UN reports.

Approximately 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced, enduring severe shortages of essential supplies such as clean water and healthcare.

Their criticism followed a recent Israeli raid on the Kamal Adwan hospital in Gaza, which included the detention of its director, Dr. Hossam Abou Safiya.

Since the escalation of the conflict on October 7, 2023, over 1,057 healthcare workers have been killed, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry.

The rapporteurs expressed horror over the situation in northern Gaza, particularly the destruction of 22 hospitals, including the Kamal Adwan hospital, and the attacks on health personnel.

In response to the rapporteurs' statements, the Israeli representation to the UN described their claims as 'far from the truth,' asserting that the report ignored critical facts, including Hamas's use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes.

On January 2, 2025, two UN special rapporteurs condemned Israel's attacks on Palestinian health rights, highlighting the urgent need to address the blatant disregard for health rights in Gaza.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, criticized the slow pace of medical evacuations from Gaza, noting that only 5,383 patients have been evacuated since the conflict began.

The conflict, now ongoing for 454 days, began after Hamas's unprecedented attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, primarily civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages.

Francesca Albanese and Tlaleng Mofokeng emphasized that Israel's actions represent a continuous pattern of attacks on health rights in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, labeling these actions as genocidal.