“Hospitals in Shambles: Last Medical Haven in Northern Gaza Reduced to Rubble”
**Israel’s Military Strike on Gaza Hospital Exacerbates Humanitarian Crisis**
The Israeli military’s attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza has left the last major medical facility in the northern part of the besieged strip without functioning services, further exacerbating the deepening humanitarian crisis in the enclave. The incident comes as Israel intensifies its offensive in northern Gaza, which has been ongoing since October and has killed hundreds of people and forced tens of thousands to flee.
According to the United Nations health agency, the attack on the hospital has resulted in key parts of the facility being severely burned and damaged. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 60 health workers and 25 critically ill patients, including those on respirators, remain at the hospital, while others have been forced to evacuate to another damaged hospital.
The WHO condemned the attack, stating that the “systematic dismantling of Gaza’s health system is a death sentence for tens of thousands of Palestinians in need of healthcare.” The organization called for an end to the “terror” and for healthcare to be protected.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that the hospital’s operations and surgery department, laboratories, maintenance, ambulances, and warehouses were completely burned. The ministry noted that the occupying forces are forcibly transferring the sick and wounded at gunpoint and that hospitals lack medical supplies, water, medicine, electricity, and generators, putting patients’ lives at risk.
The Israeli military stated that it began operations in the Kamal Adwan “area” after receiving intelligence that Hamas militants were using the hospital. However, Hamas denies that its militants use the hospital for military activities.
This attack is not an isolated incident; the Israeli military has been repeatedly criticized for targeting medical facilities in Gaza since the start of the Israeli offensive against Hamas on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people. The World Health Organization has verified 516 attacks on medical facilities and medical transport facilities in the Gaza Strip, with over 90% of medical facilities in the Gaza Strip having been damaged or destroyed.
The conflict continues to escalate, with the latest developments including the Israeli military announcing the start of operations in the Beit Hanoun area. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 45,000 people killed and the vast majority of the strip’s 2.3 million people forced to flee their homes.
**What is happening in Gaza?**
* The Israeli military has been conducting an intensified offensive in northern Gaza since October 2023, killing hundreds of people and forcing tens of thousands to flee.
* The World Health Organization reported that 516 medical facilities and medical transport facilities in the Gaza Strip have been attacked, with over 90% of medical facilities damaged or destroyed.
* The Palestinian Health Ministry stated that hospitals in Gaza lack medical supplies, water, medicine, electricity, and generators, putting patients’ lives at risk.
**What is the impact on the population?**
* Over 45,000 people have been killed in the conflict, with the vast majority of the 2.3 million people in the Gaza Strip forced to flee their homes.
* The ongoing humanitarian crisis has left the population without access to basic necessities like healthcare, water, and medical supplies.
* The World Health Organization condemned the attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital, stating that the “systematic dismantling of Gaza’s health system is a death sentence for tens of thousands of Palestinians in need of healthcare.”
**What is being done to address the crisis?**
* The United Nations has repeatedly condemned Israeli attacks on medical facilities in Gaza.
* Humanitarian organizations have appealed for an end to the conflict and for the protection of healthcare and medical facilities.
* Mediators are pushing for a deal to end the war and secure the release of remaining Israeli hostages in the strip before the US President-elect takes office.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, it is imperative that the international community takes immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis and protect the medical facilities and healthcare workers in the region.
