GAZA: Reports of attacks on Kamal Adwan Hospital and nearby areas raise concerns over safety and medical infrastructure in Gaza.
Hospital Under Siege
Israeli forces have allegedly surrounded Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, demanding evacuation and sparking widespread alarm.
Hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya reported Israeli troops set fire to vital departments and detained some staff, injuring others.
Staff and patients were instructed to leave the premises and gather in the hospital compound’s yard, witnesses said.
A video from nurse Walid Al Budi showed the archive department ablaze, accompanied by the sound of heavy gunfire.
Claims of Targeted Operations
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) justified their actions, citing intelligence about “terrorist infrastructure” linked to Hamas within the hospital.
IDF stated they facilitated civilian and medical personnel evacuations and aimed to minimize harm to uninvolved parties.
Ambulances reportedly transported injured individuals to the Indonesian Hospital, despite severe shortages of resources there.
Critics, however, emphasize extensive damage to medical departments, including emergency units and surgical wards, as reported by Kamal Adwan staff.
Airstrike Causes Mass Casualties
Earlier, an airstrike near the hospital reportedly killed 50 people, including five medical workers, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
Among the victims was pediatrician Dr. Ahmed Samour, who died at his residence opposite the hospital during the strike.
A lab technician, a maintenance worker, and two paramedics en route to the hospital were also killed.
Abu Safiya stated bodies of the paramedics remain in the street due to inaccessible areas amid ongoing attacks.
Intensified Assault on Northern Gaza
The Israeli military began escalated operations in October, targeting alleged Hamas strongholds across northern Gaza, demolishing infrastructure, and endangering civilians.
Frequent strikes on Kamal Adwan Hospital have been reported, with six raids since October and several doctors killed.
Israeli forces have faced accusations of daily gunfire toward the facility, raising alarm over the safety of medical institutions in conflict zones.
Global and Local Repercussions
The continuing conflict underscores the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, marked by depletion of food, water, and medical supplies.
Human rights organizations urge all parties to prioritize civilian safety and adherence to international laws safeguarding medical facilities.
Efforts to verify claims of casualties, hospital damage, and operational decisions remain ongoing, with both sides providing conflicting narratives.
The dire situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital highlights the devastating human toll of prolonged conflict and raises urgent calls for resolution.