In a significant escalation, Israeli forces reportedly stormed a hospital in northern Gaza, a region already crippled by ongoing conflicts.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli troops forcibly entered Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few remaining medical facilities in the northernmost part of the territory. Eyewitnesses claim that the military set fires in various departments, including the lab and surgery unit. The incident follows months of repeated attacks on the hospital, as reported by staff members, amid Israel’s offensive targeting Hamas positions nearby.
The Israeli military has stated that its operations were focused on dismantling Hamas infrastructure and combating militants allegedly embedded in the hospital. However, no tangible evidence has been presented to support these claims, and hospital officials have consistently denied any military presence within the facility. Meanwhile, the situation for medical staff and patients has become increasingly dire. The Health Ministry reported that during the latest assault, troops forced them into the hospital yard, demanding they strip down in the cold winter conditions, a procedure Israeli forces argue is a security measure.
Additionally, the offensive has exacerbated the already precarious health situation in northern Gaza. Staff from Kamal Adwan indicated that some patients were forcibly removed with no regard for their critical health needs, including those requiring oxygen support. Testimonies from social media, including accounts from the hospital director, highlighted the chaos as “fire is ablaze everywhere,” with fears mounting for those patients left vulnerable.
Israel’s broader campaign in Gaza, initiated after a severe Hamas attack in October 2023, has substantially strained the region’s health infrastructure. Over the past months, Israeli actions have claimed the lives of more than 45,000 Palestinians, including a significant number of children and women. The ongoing military operations in the area have also led to the evacuation of multiple hospitals, such as the recent raid on the Indonesian Hospital.
Humanitarian concerns continue to grow as the region faces severe shortages of food and medical supplies. With the United Nations reporting minimal humanitarian aid reaching northern Gaza, fears of famine and a health crisis loom large. The disruption of medical services and the forced relocation of civilians have drawn criticism from rights groups, including Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, who have called for a cessation of military activities affecting healthcare facilities.
The Israeli government insists its military actions are necessary to neutralize threats from Hamas, despite the extensive toll on civilian life and infrastructure. With more than 90% of Gaza’s population displaced, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Many Palestinians are currently living in temporary camps under harsh conditions, with limited access to basic necessities.
The ongoing conflict in northern Gaza continues to pose severe humanitarian and health crises. As both military and diplomatic tensions rise, the future remains uncertain for the residents and healthcare workers in this troubled region.
Source: Sun-sentinel
