According to Reuters, Israeli air strikes targeted Gandhi Hospital in northern Tehran on Sunday, raising international concerns about the safety of healthcare facilities amid ongoing conflict.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, emphasized that “Health is not a target” in light of reports that Gandhi Hospital was damaged during the bombardment of the Iranian capital. In a post on social media platform X, he described the reports as “extremely worrying” and stated that the WHO is actively working to verify the incident.
Dr. Tedros underscored the importance of protecting health facilities, noting they are safeguarded under international humanitarian law. His remarks serve as a stark reminder that all efforts must be made to prevent hospitals and clinics from becoming collateral damage in the ongoing conflict.
The strike reportedly occurred on the second day of a joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, launched after earlier strikes targeted Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian authorities, via the Islamic Republic News Agency (ISNA), claimed the hospital was hit in “Zionist-American air strikes.” Videos from inside the hospital, shared by Fars News Agency and Mizan News Agency, showed debris scattered across the floors near wheelchairs, with witnesses describing substantial damage and evacuations underway.
Footage circulating on social media depicted scenes of chaos outside Gandhi Hospital, with images of broken windows, debris, and medical personnel rushing to evacuate infants and patients. Some videos showed people fleeing in different directions amid blaring alarms and smoke billowing in the background.
The attack added to a series of explosions and strikes across northern Tehran, with Israel asserting that it is targeting central areas of the city in its campaign following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader. In response, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on Israel, as well as strikes on US military bases across the Gulf, and targets in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
As the conflict enters its third day, regional tensions continue to escalate sharply, prompting widespread international concern over civilian safety in densely populated urban centers and prompting diplomatic and military responses from multiple countries.