Kamal Adwan Hospital in Northern Gaza Evacuated Amid Alleged Military Operation
The Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last major medical facility in northern Gaza, was evacuated on Friday after reports of Israeli military action in the area, resulting in significant destruction and widespread displacement.
The incident has sparked international condemnation and raised concerns about the humanitarian impact on Gaza’s civilian population.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the hospital was forcibly cleared following an Israeli operation. Patients and staff, including hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, were removed from the premises. The fate of many patients remains uncertain, and several staff members were detained for interrogation. Medical staff described the evacuation as chaotic, with critically ill patients moved under precarious conditions to the Indonesian Hospital, a facility described as unsuitable due to prior damage and a lack of basic utilities.
Local and international reactions have been swift. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman condemned the events, calling the destruction of Kamal Adwan Hospital a violation of international humanitarian law. In a statement, Oman reiterated its commitment to peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The World Health Organization also expressed alarm, stating that the hospital raid rendered a critical healthcare facility inoperative.
The Israeli military (IDF) asserted that the hospital was used as a “terrorist stronghold” by Hamas, which they claim necessitated the operation. The IDF stated that it facilitated the secure evacuation of civilians and medical personnel prior to the raid, while denying allegations that their actions caused the fire that damaged parts of the hospital. The fire’s origin remains a point of contention, with reports from the hospital attributing the blaze to Israeli strikes.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical stage. Reports indicate that 110,000 of 135,000 tents housing displaced Palestinians are no longer usable, leaving thousands exposed to freezing winter conditions. The displacement crisis has claimed the lives of vulnerable populations, including several infants who succumbed to the cold. Humanitarian organizations continue to highlight the urgent need for international intervention to address the dire living conditions and prevent further civilian suffering.
With input from Al Jazeera, BBC, and the Times of Israel.
