Israeli forces have made headlines with their recent raid on the Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza, resulting in significant international outcry and condemnation from health authorities. The raid, which occurred overnight on December 27, has raised serious concerns over human rights violations amid the already deteriorated humanitarian situation in the enclave.
The Health Ministry of Gaza reported the detention of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital's director, along with several medical staff members during the Israeli military operation. This incident followed multiple strikes and raids on the hospital, which had suffered extensive damage during the recent escalation of violence.
On the night of the raid, sources revealed harrowing accounts of how Israeli forces allegedly forced patients and staff to gather outside the hospital, subjecting them to humiliations such as forced strip searches amid cold weather conditions. Eyewitnesses, including nurses who spoke anonymously for safety, detailed the traumatic experiences faced by those at the hospital during the military operation. One worker recounted, "Those who refused to remove their clothing were beaten," painting a grim picture of the military's tactics.
The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed deep concern over the impacts of the raid, indicating it effectively put Kamal Adwan Hospital out of service, which was already struggling to operate due to months of bombardment and blockade. "This horror must end and healthcare must be protected," stated the WHO, underlining the urgency of the situation as medical facilities face destruction and overwhelming pressure from continuous military actions.
Gaza's Health Ministry noted the dire circumstances at Kamal Adwan, where around 350 people were present, including 75 patients and around 180 medical workers, during the raid. Reports indicate the destruction of key units within the hospital, such as surgery departments, exacerbated by the Israeli offensive, with preliminary assessments confirming extensive damage and the loss of life, including medical personnel.
“The occupation has completely destroyed the medical, humanitarian, and civil defense systems,” stated Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the Gaza civil defense agency, condemning the actions of Israeli forces. This sentiment reflects a growing frustration over the systematic targeting of healthcare infrastructure during the long-standing conflict.
The Israeli military justified its actions during the Kamal Adwan raid by labeling the hospital as a “key stronghold for terrorist organizations,” yet failed to provide credible evidence of Hamas operations within its walls. Hamas officials vehemently denied these allegations, calling for international intervention to investigate the escalations against civilians and healthcare facilities.
Dr. Abu Safiya, who had been vocal about the challenges the hospital faced during the conflict, declared previously: "Our hospital is being targeted with the intent to kill and forcibly displace the people inside." His arrest and the detention of dozens of other staff members prompted MedGlobal, the humanitarian organization where he served as the lead physician, to voice grave concerns for his wellbeing.
Since October, the Israeli military has intensified its operations against Gaza, largely following the October 7 attacks from Hamas which resulted in severe retaliatory measures. It is estimated over 45,400 Palestinians have died due to Israel's military campaigns, with countless more injured or displaced.
Among those evacuated from Kamal Adwan Hospital were patients, some critically injured, who were transferred to another facility, the Indonesian Hospital, which has long been deemed destroyed and non-functional. The situation raises alarming questions about the availability of medical care for patients fleeing one devastated facility to another without feasible medical resources.
The humanitarian impact of the raid has drawn the ire of international organizations advocating for the protection of medical personnel and facilities during armed conflict, with calls for immediate ceasefire conditions to protect vulnerable populations.
Moving forward, this event at Kamal Adwan Hospital has highlighted the urgent need for accountability and protection of non-combatant services during conflicts, especially when it pertains to healthcare—a sector already strained under the weight of continuous conflict. The dire health crisis facing Gaza amplifies this message, portraying the consequences of combat on civilian infrastructure and lives.
For many on the ground, like those at Kamal Adwan, the realities of warfare are stark and horrifying, turning the struggle for shelter and healthcare—basic human rights—into moments of terror and confusion. The international community's response to such events will be pivotal as the situation continues to evolve, with calls for greater humanitarian support and protection for the region's remaining healthcare facilities.
