Israeli forces stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last operational medical facility in northern Gaza, on Friday, October 25, 2024, resulting in chaos and significant distress among the patients, hospital staff, and those seeking refuge within its walls. The raid occurred amid heightened military action across the enclave, as Israel conducted intense aerial assaults leading to devastating casualties.
Reports indicate the raid resulted in the detention of hundreds of individuals, including patients, medical personnel, and displaced persons seeking shelter from the relentless bombardment. The Gaza health ministry emblematically referred to this as "a catastrophic situation," as the hospital had become overcrowded with patients and individuals displaced by the conflict.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), lamented the loss of communication with the hospital, emphasizing the disturbing nature of reported actions considering the vulnerable population inside. "The situation is deeply disturbing, with the number of patients being served and people sheltering there," he stated.
Eyewitness accounts painted dramatically chaotic scenes during the raid. The Israeli army confirmed operations around Kamal Adwan Hospital citing intelligence operations targeting perceived terrorist infrastructure. More than 150 patients and medical staff were reported to be besieged by Israeli forces. The circumstances highlight the alarming escalation of violence and the humanitarian crisis gripping the region.
Prior to the raid, the hospital was already grappling with acute shortages of medical supplies, blamed on the protracted blockade and recent intensifying military operations. The WHO previously facilitated the transfer of patients to other facilities, but this effort has been stymied by the chaos surrounding the hospital.
On the eve of the Israeli forces' entry, Kamal Adwan Hospital was bombarded, damaging its oxygen supply system and contributing to the tragic deaths of two young children who were unable to receive necessary respiratory support. According to reports, patients had been moved, often under duress, to the courtyard as soldiers conducted their searches.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital director, pleaded for international attention as he recorded messages detailing the horrors faced within the facility. "Where is the law?" he questioned, expressing deep frustration at the targeting of such humanitarian facilities, which ought to provide care rather than suffer assaults.
This assault, described as "mayhem and chaos" by health officials on site, is part of wider military actions launched by Israel on October 6, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties. Israels’s military operations have met with severe backlash from international humanitarian organizations.
Both local and international stakeholders have voiced concerns over the infringement of international humanitarian law, emphasizing the need for protection and neutrality of medical facilities, especially those providing care during conflicts. Witnesses shared heartbreaking accounts of patients being dragged from their beds to comply with military commands.
The situation has exacerbated the precarious status of medical facilities across Gaza. Earlier attempts made by UN agencies to deliver aid and support have been hindered by military actions and logistical challenges. The director of the WHO described relief missions as operating under increasing pressure, with teams facing border restrictions, engaging with local health authorities aiming to address the dire medical needs.
Calls for accountability have emerged, with human rights organizations labeling the Israeli forces’ siege and raids on hospitals as war crimes. Hamas has publicly condemned the assault on Kamal Adwan as “a flagrant violation of international laws.”
Local authorities report thousands of families displaced from northern Gaza as the conflict intensifies, forcing people to seek safety within medical facilities like Kamal Adwan. Another facility, the Indonesian Hospital, has also ceased operations after being heavily targeted, leaving Kamal Adwan as one of the few available options for urgent medical care.
Governments and international bodies remain engaged with the developments, urging for immediate ceasefire arrangements, and expressing alarm over the continuous loss of civilian life. The Israeli military has stated its operations are focused on eliminating militant threats, framing the larger campaign as necessary for national security.
This incident at Kamal Adwan Hospital highlights the increasingly dire humanitarian situation facing civilians and medical personnel caught amid the crossfire. The already overwhelming circumstances are compounded by the fear and uncertainty surrounding future military actions and the continuous risk of violence against non-combatants.
Current conditions lead many to question the sustainability of the Gaza healthcare system, the efficacy of humanitarian efforts under siege, and the moral obligations of combatants under international laws governing wartime conduct. The air strikes and military actions have left deep scars on the community, and the collective trauma experienced by residents continues to mount as the conflict endures.
Looking unwarranted and bleak, the plight of hospitals like Kamal Adwan symbolizes not just the present struggle of medical facilities but the broader human tragedy amplified by war. Amid the devastation, there’s persistent hope expressed by healthcare workers and the community for the eventual restoration of peace and the protection of innocents caught within the fog of war.
