North Gaza: Israel destroys the last collapsing hospital to complete forced displacement crime
Palestinian territory - Israel is systematically closing hospitals in northern Gaza through direct military targeting, a suffocating siege, and the killing, injuring, and arresting of patients, wounded individuals, and medical personnel. This is part of an ongoing crime of forced displacement against all Palestinian residents of northern Gaza.
Early this morning, Israeli occupation forces resumed military assaults on civilians in Beit Lahia, conducting deadly raids on homes and streets before encircling Kamal Adwan Hospital, which remains partially operational, along with two other hospitals in northern Gaza.
According to Euro-Med field field teams, Israeli forces used Palestinian detainees as human shields, forcing them to warn hospital staff that all displaced persons and companions of patients must leave the premises and head to areas controlled by Israeli forces. Many were arrested upon arrival, while others were forced to flee to a checkpoint in the Civil Administration are and eventually to Gaza City.
Israeli forces used Palestinian detainees as human shields, forcing them to warn hospital staff that all displaced persons and companions of patients must leave
The assault near Kamal Adwan Hospital lasted several hours, leaving between 30 and 50 people dead in nearby streets and homes. Witnesses report that searches for additional victims are ongoing.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, described the catastrophic situation inside and outside the facility. Four medical staff members were killed, many others injured, and the hospital is now without surgeons. He stated that the Israeli forces compelled the Indonesian Hospital’s medical team—the only team conducting surgeries—to evacuate, leaving hundreds of victims in desperate need of immediate care amid dwindling medical supplies.
Dr. Abu Safia added that the Israeli forces targeted oxygen generators, leaving only two inexperienced surgeons to handle critical cases. Despite their limited expertise, they began performing surgeries to save 20 critically injured individuals.
Less than 24 hours after Israeli drones bombed Kamal Adwan Hospital, Israeli forces attacked again, killing 16-year-old Mahmoud Abu Al-Aish, a wheelchair-bound patient heading to the emergency room. Twelve others, including patients, their companions, and medical staff, were injured in the assault.
Over the past week, Kamal Adwan Hospital has suffered more than ten direct attacks, injuring over 22 people, including medical personnel.
On Thursday, Israeli forces bombed the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia, targeting water tanks and injuring companions of three patients. Previously, the upper floors of Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia were also bombed.
These attacks highlight Israel’s ongoing efforts to completely shut down northern Gaza’s hospitals. Already crippled by a lack of medical supplies, these hospitals operate with exhausted staff overwhelmed by months of famine and continuous emergencies. The aim appears to be the eradication of any chance of survival for Palestinians in northern Gaza.
Thousands of displaced people were forced to flee toward Gaza City yesterday after Israeli forces attacked multiple shelters in Beit Lahia and continued forcibly evicting northern Gaza residents.
Dr. Abu Safia also affirmed that the Israeli army continues to destroy homes over the heads of residents in northern Gaza neighbourhoods, leaving the area uninhabitable both now and in the future.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) must urgently intervene to provide northern Gaza hospitals with medications, supplies, food, and medical personnel while ensuring the safety of patients, the wounded, and medical staff. In light of the failure of diplomatic efforts, these organisations must at least issue public statements condemning Israel’s grave violations, which have escalated dangerously over the past year.
To halt genocide in Gaza, the international community and the UN must fulfill their legal obligations: impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel; hold it accountable for its crimes; protect Palestinian civilians; prevent their forced displacement; ensure their return to their homes; release arbitrarily detained Palestinians; and facilitate unrestricted humanitarian aid, particularly life-saving assistance, to northern Gaza.
The Israeli military must withdraw from all Palestinian occupied territories to uphold international law and safeguard the lives of Palestinians.