Israeli forces conducted a forced evacuation of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last remaining medical facilities operational in northern Gaza, leaving patients and medical staff vulnerable amid intense airstrikes. Eyewitness accounts from medical personnel detailed harrowing scenes as the military's actions unfolded on Friday morning.
Reports indicate the Israeli military issued evacuation orders to hospital staff and patients at 07:00, allowing them only 15 minutes to evacuate. Eid Sabbah, head of nursing at Kamal Adwan, expressed grave concerns for the patients, especially those dependent on ventilation. "If the army intends to continue removing these patients, they will need specialized vehicles," he warned, emphasizing the dangers of the evacuation.
The backdrop to this rapid evacuation was a series of deadly airstrikes which reportedly killed approximately 50 people, including five medical staff, on Thursday evening. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital’s director, lamented the loss of life, stating, "There are approximately 50 martyrs, including three of our medical staff, under the rubble of a building opposite Kamal Adwan Hospital after an airstrike by the occupying forces." One of the deceased was identified as pediatrician Dr. Ahmed Samour.
While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) labeled Kamal Adwan as a "Hamas terrorist stronghold," hospital officials contended the evacuation was catastrophic. Videos shared by medical professionals showed parts of the hospital ablaze, with ambulances attempting to transfer patients to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was also targeted during recent Israeli offensives.
Dr. Safiya described the horrific conditions inside, stating, "The operating and surgical departments, laboratory, maintenance, and emergency units have been completely burned, and the fire is now spreading to the buildings." He reported receiving direct threats from Israeli forces during the evacuation: "This time we will arrest you,” indicating the increasingly aggressive military posture toward medical personnel.
The evacuation raised alarm among international organizations. Humanitarian groups, including Oxfam, criticized the Israeli military for obstructing aid deliveries to the region under what has been described as a "near-total siege." Reports surfaced about the dire lack of medical supplies at the Indonesian Hospital, which is barely able to function under the pressure of Israeli restrictions. "There are no basic supplies like water, medicine, or electricity," one staff member stated.
Dr. Sabbah highlighted the chaotic nature of the evacuation process, noting, “It’s dangerous because there are patients in the ICU department in a coma and needing ventilation machines.” Yet, the Israeli military framed its actions as protecting civilians from Hamas, claiming it facilitated the "secure evacuation of civilians, patients, and medical personnel.”
Despite these assertions, the reality on the ground painted a starkly different picture, with numerous reports confirming the burgeoning humanitarian crisis. UN officials and other aid agencies urge for immediate intervention as the death toll climbs, with over 45,000 Palestinians reported killed since the onset of the conflict on October 7, 2023.
With communication lines cut off from the hospital after the military's actions, the fate of remaining patients and staff remains uncertain. Palestinian authorities have pleaded for international assistance to safeguard victims caught amid the crossfire.
Critics of Israel's military operations insist upon the protection of medical facilities as enshrined under international humanitarian law. The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted the catastrophic impact of these operations, categorizing them as serious violations against civilians and medical personnel.
Dr. Safiya's forceful advocacy for the hospital and its patients never wavered even amid threats. He continues to call for international attention: “The fate of our patients is now unknown.” Such statements reflect the urgency and desperation for help as the humanitarian situation grows increasingly dire.
The forced evacuation and destruction of Kamal Adwan Hospital symbolize not just the challenges faced by medical personnel, but the broader humanitarian catastrophe enveloping Gaza. Advocates continue to rally for the protection of health facilities amid calls for accountability for the violence inflicted on civilians caught between military operations.
