In brief
As Israel heightens its military operations against perceived Hamas strongholds, medical facilities remain perilously impacted, prompting urgent calls for protection.
Kamal Adwan hospital, one of the last operational healthcare facilities in northern Gaza, has been forcibly evacuated by Israeli military forces, according to reports from medical staff on the ground. The evacuation was ordered after recent strikes in the vicinity reportedly resulted in numerous casualties, including medical personnel. Eid Sabbah, the head of nursing at Kamal Adwan hospital, relayed to the BBC that at around 7 AM on Friday, Israeli troops provided the hospital administration with just 15 minutes to evacuate all patients and staff. After the brief notice, soldiers entered the hospital to assist in removing patients, raising concerns about the safety of those in critical condition. The Israeli military later stated that they were conducting operations in the area, which they declared a "Hamas terrorist stronghold." The military claimed to have facilitated the safe evacuation of civilians and medical staff before commencing their operations; however, they did not specify where the evacuated patients would be relocated. An Israeli official suggested earlier that patients might be moved to the Indonesian hospital nearby, which had been evacuated by military forces a couple of days prior. Dr. Sabbah expressed his concerns about transferring patients in critical condition, particularly those reliant on ventilators, emphasizing the necessity for specialized vehicles for safe transport. The latest news comes just hours after Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital's director, reported that around 50 individuals had been killed, including five healthcare workers, due to a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting the hospital's surroundings. Dr. Safiya detailed that an airstrike hit a building across from the hospital, resulting in casualties including a pediatrician and a lab technician alongside their families. A maintenance technician was also killed while responding to the initial explosion, and two paramedics were later struck as they operated nearby, leaving their bodies in the street due to the ongoing violence. Despite these developments, the Israeli military claimed they were unaware of strikes impacting Kamal Adwan hospital, although they acknowledged they were investigating reports concerning the deaths of medical personnel. Since October, Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia has been under increased restrictions due to an Israeli blockade amidst military efforts to neutralize Hamas in the region. The United Nations cited the area as being under a "near-total siege," severely limiting access for humanitarian aid, with an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people still in the area. In recent days, hospital administrators have made urgent appeals for protection as the facility has faced continuous Israeli shelling. Oxfam also noted that humanitarian efforts have repeatedly been hindered by "deliberate delays and systematic obstructions" from the Israeli military, further constraining aid deliveries since the onset of the conflict.
