The detention of Gaza’s medical staff has sparked outrage as Israeli forces raided the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, shutting down the last operational medical facility in northern Gaza. This incident highlights the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region, where ongoing strikes and military operations continue to devastate civilian infrastructure.
Hospital Raid and Detentions
On Friday, Israeli forces stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, ordering the evacuation of patients and staff. Dozens of medical personnel, including the hospital’s director, Hussam Abu Safiya, were detained. Reports suggest Abu Safiya was assaulted during the raid, although his current condition remains unclear. Freed staff shared harrowing accounts of mistreatment, heightening concerns about the detainees’ safety.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that this raid rendered the hospital non-operational. Some patients were transferred to the southern Gaza Strip or the Al-Ahly Arab Baptist Hospital, while others were sent to the Indonesian Hospital, which is also out of service. Medics faced restrictions, preventing them from accompanying patients in need of critical care.
Claims of Hamas Presence
The Israeli military justified the raid, alleging that Hamas fighters had used the hospital as a stronghold throughout the 15-month-long war. Hamas denied these claims, calling them baseless. The closure of Kamal Adwan Hospital has left northern Gaza without essential medical services, compounding the suffering of residents.
Rising Death Toll
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes across Gaza have continued unabated. On Saturday alone, 18 Palestinians were killed, including nine in a single house at Maghazi camp in central Gaza. Over the past 24 hours, 48 lives were lost, pushing the war’s death toll to 45,484.
The health ministry reported that at least 108,090 people have been injured since the conflict began. Civilians bear the brunt of these attacks, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and thousands forced to flee their homes.
Displacement and Accusations of Ethnic Cleansing
Israeli forces have expanded operations in northern Gaza, particularly around Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, and Beit Lahiya. Residents were urged to leave their homes under the pretext of safety, but Palestinians accused Israel of using this strategy to depopulate the area and create a buffer zone.
While Israel denies these allegations, claiming its actions target Hamas fighters, the displacement of thousands and the destruction of civilian areas suggest otherwise. Entire communities have been uprooted, and access to basic necessities like food, water, and medical care has become increasingly scarce.
Read: Biden’s Legacy: A Controversial Stance on Gaza
A Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
The raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital and the continuing airstrikes highlight the growing humanitarian disaster in Gaza. With medical facilities inoperable, displaced civilians facing harsh conditions, and the death toll climbing, the international community has called for immediate intervention.
The plight of Gaza’s residents underscores the urgent need for solutions to protect civilians.
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