THE World Health Organisation (WHO) today condemned Israel’s attack on a northern Gaza hospital that killed at least 29 people, as a “worrying” trend observed in global wars.

Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last functioning centres in the area, was hit by a series of Israeli air strikes early this morning, accompanied by “intense and direct fire,” the facility’s director said in a statement.

Four hospital staff were among “a large number” of wounded, Hossam Abu Safieh said.

Patients and staff at the hospital were “soaked in blood” following the attack, an Al Jazeera correspondent on the ground said.

The hospital has faced repeated attacks in recent weeks, including a drone strike on Thursday which killed a 16-year-old boy in a wheelchair.

WHO regional representative Richard Peeperkorn said today that the hospital is still minimally operational.

“There was no official warning or evacuation order before the bombing of … the hospital, only rumours that spread panic,” he said.

“Some 12,000 patients across Gaza still need medical evacuation, only 78 have been evacuated.”

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that attacking healthcare centres during wars has become the “new normal” in a worrying trend.

In 2024, at least 1,200 attacks were reported in multiple countries, including Gaza.

Such attacks will continue without accountability held, Mr Tedros warned.

Several dozens of other deaths were reported across Gaza, including from an Israeli bombing of the al-Magazi refugee camp.

The attacks came a day after Amnesty International said its findings through satellite imaging, fieldwork and ground reports were “sufficient evidence” that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Its report also noted “dehumanising and genocidal statements” by Israeli government and military officials.

“Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this is genocide. It must stop now,” Amnesty secretary-general Agnes Callamard said.

Israel rejected the allegations, and Western ally Germany also came to its defence.

Hamas official Basem Naim said that ceasefire talks have resumed after a weeks-long hiatus, saying that he was hopeful that a deal to end the 15-month war was within reach.

Israel’s ceasefire deal with Lebanon is still in place despite numerous truce violations leading to deaths.

The Lebanese army said the five-member “supervisory committee” on the deal will meet early next week.