Israeli troops have once again made headlines for their aggressive military operations, this time targeting Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last operating medical facility in northern Gaza. According to reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry, the raid occurred on December 22, 2023, igniting fires within the hospital and forcing the evacuation of medical staff and patients, raising serious concerns about humanitarian violations.
The Israeli army, asserting without evidence, claimed the hospital was operating as a base for Hamas militants. This latest incident followed the tragic deaths of five medical staff members just the day prior, amid claims by the ministry of continued assaults on medical facilities, which have become increasingly common during Israel’s offensive against Hamas.
On the morning of the raid, alarm bells rang as armed troops surrounded Kamal Adwan Hospital, located in Beit Lahia. They began by cutting off all communication with those inside, complicate matters for hospital staff and patients. Videos from the scene depicted plumes of smoke rising from the hospital as the military enforced the evacuation.
Gaza’s Health Ministry recorded the harrowing details of the raid, stating, “The occupation forces are inside the hospital now and they are burning it,” as recounted by Munir al-Bursh, health director for the enclave. Notably, Deputy Health Minister Youssef Abu El-Rish reported fires were started in several departments, including surgery and the laboratory, leading to widespread destruction of the medical infrastructure.
Over 350 individuals were reportedly order to gather outside by the Israeli forces. This group included 75 patients and their companions, along with 185 medical staff members. The dire circumstances led some patients to be evacuated unhooked from their oxygen supplies, prompting fears of imminent death. “There are currently patients who could die at any moment,” said an unidentified member of the staff, whose appeals for help echoed across social media platforms.
The Health Ministry claims this heavy-handed approach to treating hospitals as legitimate military targets epitomizes the systematic violence against healthcare systems under siege conditions. The Gaza Government Media Office declared this assault openly constitutes war crimes under international laws. This act of aggression not only threatens those within the hospital but also puts at risk the health system for over 400,000 residents depending on its services.
For months now, conditions for Gazans have been dire, especially as international humanitarian aid has been severely restricted, leaving many on the brink of famine. Reports indicate over 90% of Gaza’s population have been displaced, living under squalid conditions within makeshift camps. Such humanitarian crises are compounded by military actions centered around medical facilities where normally safe haven should exist.
The Israeli military has been relentless since its ground offensive commenced on October 5, which many observers believe is aimed at not just dismantling Hamas but also at creating lasting demographic changes through forced displacements. A spokesperson for Hamas called the Israeli invasion of the Kamal Adwan Hospital “a barbaric act committed amid international indifference.” The desperate situation has drawn vocal condemnation both from local and international organizations, who warn of the catastrophic consequences if this trend continues.
Statements from the Palestinian leadership have condemned Israel's actions as serious violations of international humanitarian law. They have appealed for the international community to intervene, decrying what they describe as the world’s complicity due to its silence on the matter. The Palestinian presidency highlighted the urgent need for protective measures for those targeted during armed conflict, especially medical personnel and patients.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the actions taken against the hospital, calling them blatant violations of accepted international norms. Such sentiments echo across the region, as countries rally against what they perceive as successive war crimes perpetrated against the Palestinian people.
The international community’s lack of action is alarming, and Gaza's health crisis escalates. The instability and attacks against hospitals compound the suffering of civilians grappling with uncertain futures as they struggle for survival.
This latest conflict at Kamal Adwan Hospital serves as yet another wake-up call about the consequences of allowing violence to permeate even the most sanctified spaces—hospitals—leaving lifelines for healthcare under siege. The call for accountability grows louder as the tragedy continues to unfurl in Gaza, drawing attention to the need for immediate action to stabilize the region.
