The Libyan National Human Rights Institution has strongly condemned an armed attack on Ghadames General Hospital, where an armed group stormed the facility, assaulted medical staff, and fired gunshots inside various departments. The attack caused widespread panic among patients and healthcare workers, according to the hospital’s administration.
In a statement on Thursday, the institution warned that the growing number of attacks on medical facilities and healthcare workers in Libya is a serious concern. Doctors and medical staff frequently face intimidation, harassment, and repeated assaults while carrying out their humanitarian duties. The latest incident highlights a direct threat to healthcare services, particularly in areas with limited medical resources.
Ghadames General Hospital is the only specialized medical facility serving more than 30,000 residents in the city and surrounding areas. Any disruption to its services significantly impacts the local population’s access to essential healthcare.
The statement also cautioned that hospital closures or service disruptions due to such attacks could lead to a humanitarian crisis, especially given Libya’s already fragile healthcare infrastructure and ongoing security challenges.
The institution denounced the attack as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of medical facilities and personnel during conflicts and crises. It called on all parties to respect the sanctity of healthcare facilities and take immediate steps to end such assaults.
Furthermore, the human rights body urged Libyan security authorities and the Ministry of Interior to take urgent measures to address security breaches, ensure the hospital’s protection, and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Reaffirming the importance of safeguarding healthcare institutions, the organization stressed that Libyans must have access to medical services without fear or disruption. It called on all relevant stakeholders to uphold their responsibilities in protecting healthcare workers and ensuring a safe environment for them to fulfill their humanitarian duties.
