Rosalind Evans
In northern Gaza, the Kamal Adwan Hospital is caught in a dire situation as Israeli forces have entered its compound, opening fire on the facility that has been under siege for days. Health authorities report that the hospital, which has been struggling to provide care amidst dwindling supplies, is now facing an escalating threat to its operations and the safety of its patients.
Hospital Under Attack
Reports indicate that Israeli military forces have twice entered the Kamal Adwan Hospital compound in Beit Lahiya within 24 hours. According to the Gaza health ministry and hospital officials, the military has fired at various parts of the complex. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital director, expressed his alarm, stating, “Instead of receiving aid, we are receiving tanks.” This stark declaration underscores the hospital’s urgent need for humanitarian support while it grapples with military incursions.
Desperate Conditions for Patients
Kamal Adwan Hospital is one of only three minimally operational hospitals in northern Gaza and is a critical facility for the injured. As fighting intensified, it was inundated with casualties from surrounding areas. Dr. Abu Safiya noted that all departments of the hospital are under direct shelling, with patients seeking shelter amidst the chaos. The situation has reached a critical point where the hospital is housing about 200 patients, along with many others who are fleeing from violence.
Global Concern and Urgent Appeals
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed deep concern over the raid, stating that WHO has “lost touch with the personnel there.” He called the development “deeply disturbing given the number of patients being served and people sheltering there.” The WHO had previously evacuated patients from the facility, highlighting the ongoing struggle to maintain medical services amidst military operations.
Israeli Military Justification
In response to the allegations of aggression, the Israeli military claimed that operations around the Kamal Adwan Hospital were based on intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists and their infrastructure. They stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had facilitated patient evacuations while maintaining emergency services. However, reports from health officials contradict this narrative, emphasizing the dire lack of medical assistance available to those in need.
Damage and Disruption
Maher Shamiya, an official from the Gaza health ministry, reported that Israeli military actions have resulted in significant damage to the hospital, including the destruction of walls and damage to critical medical facilities like the oxygen station. He recounted how the military’s intrusion into the hospital yard resulted in chaotic scenes, with patients and staff left vulnerable and in fear.
A Call for Humanitarian Aid
Despite the challenges, a WHO convoy managed to reach the hospital, providing fuel, blood units, and medical supplies. However, Dr. Abu Safiya lamented that essential resources like food and water are still lacking. He described the heartbreaking conditions faced by critically injured patients. He emphasized the urgent need for evacuation: “I explained the situation of the patients and the injured people in the hospital, emphasizing that their condition was extremely critical and that evacuation was necessary.”
A Plea for Support
As the crisis unfolds, the situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital highlights the urgent need for international humanitarian intervention. With mounting casualties and critical supply shortages, Dr. Abu Safiya and his team are calling for immediate assistance to save lives. The plight of those trapped in conflict zones emphasizes the necessity for humanitarian access and the protection of medical facilities during armed confrontations.
