On Friday, Israeli forces stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of four doctors and the injury of many others. Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli troops forced healthcare workers and patients to evacuate, destroying critical medical supplies in the process.
The raid, which lasted for about two hours, involved plainclothes Israeli soldiers who announced the evacuation orders over a megaphone and detained numerous individuals, including medical staff and refugees. The hospital’s director, Dr. Hussam Abu Saifya, recounted the violence, including the use of intense fire and airstrikes, which forced the evacuation of patients and healthcare workers into a nearby checkpoint.
The situation escalated when Israeli forces surrounded the facility with military vehicles and drones, launching further attacks. As the military attacked the northern and western sides of the hospital, they gathered people in the courtyard and transported them to the checkpoint. Dr. Abu Saifya described the aftermath, noting that the area surrounding the hospital was strewn with hundreds of dead and injured individuals.
The destruction was severe, with essential medical equipment, like oxygen generators, being damaged. Only a small number of inexperienced surgeons remained at the hospital to provide care amidst the crisis.
Hours after the Israeli military withdrawal, hospital staff and displaced individuals discovered more casualties in the streets. A photo posted by Dr. Abu Saifya showed multiple bodies in the hospital courtyard, with many others severely injured. The Indonesian medical delegation, which was the only group still performing surgery at the hospital, was also forced to leave and not allowed to return. The damage to the hospital and its supplies left it in dire condition, with the remaining staff unable to provide adequate medical attention to the many injured.
Israeli Forces Storm Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, Killing Doctors and Disrupting Critical Care
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) denied targeting Kamal Adwan Hospital, claiming they had been conducting operations against “terror infrastructure” in the nearby Jabalya area. They also stated that efforts were being made to coordinate the transfer of patients and medical staff to other hospitals. Meanwhile, the United Nations reported that there was no official evacuation order from the Israeli military, and the panic among hospital staff and patients resulted in escalated violence. The IDF’s military actions in Gaza have faced significant criticism from health organizations due to their repeated disruption of medical missions and the targeting of healthcare facilities.
This attack is part of a broader context of military operations by Israel in Gaza, which has led to the death of thousands of Palestinians. Since October 2023, these operations have led to widespread destruction, displacement, and a humanitarian crisis, with many accusing Israel of committing war crimes. The recent raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital is the second such assault since October, and the situation in northern Gaza remains catastrophic. Hospitals like Kamal Adwan have become crucial lifelines for those injured in the ongoing conflict, and their destruction adds to the immense suffering faced by civilians in the region.
In addition to the loss of life, the ongoing conflict has also severely impacted healthcare workers, with at least 1,050 killed since Israel’s military operations began. The Palestinian Ministry of Health condemned the raid on Kamal Adwan as another war crime, emphasizing the ongoing threat to medical facilities and personnel in Gaza. The ministry has been calling for international protection for hospitals and medical teams, urging the entry of urgent medical supplies and the safe evacuation of the wounded. As the conflict continues, healthcare providers face increasing challenges in delivering life-saving care amidst the violence and destruction.
