Beit Lahia, Gaza—The Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last remaining functioning medical facilities in northern Gaza, is enduring relentless assaults and blockades by Israeli forces, creating one of the most perilous humanitarian crises the region has seen amid the enduring violence and instability. Since the siege began on October 7, 2023, conditions for both patients and medical staff have deteriorated sharply, with reports detailing continuous bombing campaigns and urgent calls for international intervention.
Juliette Touma, Communications Director for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), highlighted the alarming reality facing northern Gaza, describing it as experiencing “the hell of the hell.” During her interview with Irish state media RTE, she noted the heavy bombardment and significant loss of life among civilians due to the Israeli military actions, which have increasingly targeted hospitals and shelters. Specifically addressing the situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital, she deemed the evacuation orders and military raids as commonplace, stating, “This is crossing a very thick red line and way too many times the rules of war have been broken.”
The current siege has dramatically impacted all who seek refuge at Kamal Adwan Hospital, where over 400 civilians are reportedly receiving care and shelter. Despite evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces demanding all medical staff and patients vacate the premises, the hospital persists as one of the few operational healthcare facilities amid the chaos. Physicians for Human Rights - Israel (PHRI) filed an urgent petition recently, urging the Israeli court to cease attacks on the hospital and to establish a humanitarian corridor to facilitate medical supplies and the safe evacuation of patients and staff. “The relentless attacks on Kamal Adwan hospital have caused catastrophic harm to medical infrastructure, claimed the lives of patients and staff, and denied access to healthcare services,” the organization asserted.
On December 26, 2024, the hospital suffered yet another tragic incident when five medical staff members were killed during an Israeli airstrike. Among the deceased were Dr. Ahmad Samour and laboratory technician Israa Abu Zayda. Witnesses report the attack was only one of many episodes of violence targeting the hospital, with Israeli forces deploying drones to drop explosives on the facility, exacerbated by the blockade restricting food, water, and medical supplies needed for emergency care.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital's chief, expressed despair and frustration over the targeting of medical infrastructure. He noted the dire situation inside the hospital, where patients rely on limited supplies and staff are stretched thin amid regular shelling and acute shortages. He lamented, “It is another dark day in the continuing series of crimes against Kamal Adwan Hospital.”
For patients like Ahmed Al-Barawi, the reality is harrowing. “It’s a hospital in name only. The [Israeli] occupation has stripped even the most basic levels of care from us,” he explained. The conditions inside are deplorable, with numerous patients waiting for care under the constant threat of Israeli bombardment. “The hospital has become a place where people die rather than receive care,” he added, highlighting the limited access to medications and the cruel conditions imposed by the unrelenting siege.
Despite the overwhelming odds and the constant presence of danger, medical staff at Kamal Adwan remain resolute. “We will stay and serve those who are here. This is a humanitarian mission,” Dr. Abu Safiya declared defiantly. He and his colleagues continue to provide care against all odds, dedicated to their oaths as healthcare providers. This level of commitment prevails amid constant risk to their safety and accusations from the Israeli military.
The international community's silence on these actions has led to increased frustration among healthcare providers and human rights advocates. They are calling for immediate action to protect civilians and healthcare facilities as violations of international law continue unabated. “We have repeatedly appealed to the world to provide protection for hospitals, but unfortunately, no one responded,” Dr. Abu Safiya said, underscoring the dire need for international awareness and intervention.
With each passing day, the plight of those at Kamal Adwan Hospital grows more desperate. Eyewitnesses describe the scene as one filled with fear and uncertainty, where patients trap inside the hospital face overwhelming challenges. The consequences of this war extend far beyond the immediate violence, threatening the long-term viability of Gaza’s healthcare system.
While the crisis at Kamal Adwan Hospital continues, the global community watches, and the clamor for justice amplifies. Advocates implore humanitarian organizations and governments worldwide to act decisively to address the mounting tragedies faced by civilians caught amid this enduring conflict.
