Israeli forces conducted a significant military operation at the Kamal Adwan Hospital on the northern edge of Gaza on Friday, resulting in widespread destruction and the forcible removal of patients and staff from the facility, according to multiple reports from the Palestinian health ministry and hospital officials.
This latest incursion is part of Israel's broader military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas operations following significant violence since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people. The IDF alleges Hamas has used the hospital as both a stronghold and operational center throughout the conflict.
According to reports from the Gazan health ministry, the Israeli military stormed the hospital, setting fires to various departments, including the surgical and laboratory facilities. Munir Al-Bursh, director of the health ministry, stated, "The occupation forces are inside the hospital now and they are burning it." The ministry claims to have lost contact with hospital staff inside during the operation, raising concerns about the well-being of those still within the premises.
Israeli military spokespersons maintain they conducted the operation to secure the area against Hamas fighters and stated they had taken measures to minimize harm to civilians. They claimed to have facilitated the secure evacuation of patients and medical personnel prior to the raid. Yet, reports indicate many patients were unhooked from oxygen and forced to abandon their treatment. Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of chaos as medics and patients were ordered to strip and gather outside, leaving many vulnerable to the winter cold.
Deputy health minister Youssef Abu El-Rish reported the heartbreaking circumstances, noting how soldiers forced around 350 individuals, including 75 patients and around 185 medical staff, to relocate to nearby shelters or the already damaged Indonesian Hospital. "Some patients could die at any moment," warned one unnamed staff member shared via social media.
The Kamal Adwan Hospital has repeatedly been targeted throughout this conflict, suffering multiple attacks over the past three months as Israeli forces aim to dismantle Hamas's infrastructure. The emergency medical services and Palestinian officials paint a dire picture, indicating at least five medical personnel were killed by Israeli fire just prior to this latest raid.
Videos circulated on Palestinian media depict thick smoke rising from the vicinity of the hospital, though the exact validity of these images remains unverified. The situation paints a grim picture of humanitarian conditions as the region continues to experience severe bombardment and restrictions on access to food and medical supplies.
The health ministry notes the significant toll the Israeli offensive has had, with current casualty reports indicating more than 45,400 deaths, including many women and children. The majority of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been forcibly displaced from their homes, now facing precarious living conditions, often resorting to sheltering in overcrowded makeshift camps.
The narrative has sparked outrage and concern worldwide, reflecting the tragic interplay of military action and humanitarian devastation. International and local organizations have repeatedly criticized the Israeli military's choice to conduct operations near or within hospitals, underscoring the illegal nature of such actions under international law, which prohibits targeting medical facilities during armed conflict.
This raid underlines the complexity of the situation, with Hamas denying allegations of using the hospital as a military hub, labeling the accusations as “lies.” They assert Israeli forces are culpable for the consequences faced by patients and medical staff during such raids, stating, "Hamas holds the occupation fully responsible for the lives of patients, wounded, and medical staff after they were cut off from communication, arrested, and taken to unknown locations." This battle over narratives complicates the international community's response to the humanitarian crisis within Gaza.
The Israeli government has persisted with its narrative claiming the need for securing the region against terrorist operations, highlighting its strategic aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping after their initial attack. The IDF has announced it seeks to maintain security control over Gaza post-conflict to avert any resurgence of violence.
Despite the claims of justification, the fallout from these military operations has contributed to calls for accountability and reevaluation of military strategies, particularly those affecting civilian infrastructure such as hospitals. International bodies and human rights organizations urge those involved to prioritize humanitarian needs and civilian protection within this volatile region.
Moving forward, as Israel continues to enforce its military operations and Hamas maintains its resistance, the international community watches closely—hoping for the safety and well-being of civilians caught within this brutal conflict.
