Israeli forces reportedly stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, a critical health facility in northern Gaza, forcing medical staff and patients outside in freezing conditions, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. The Israeli military denied entering the hospital or causing a fire there, while accusing Hamas of using the hospital for militant activities. Kamal Adwan has faced repeated strikes during the Israeli offensive, and a recent attack killed five medical staff, further crippling healthcare in the area.
Amid escalating violence, the Health Ministry reported forced evacuations, with some patients transferred to the Indonesian Hospital, itself incapacitated after an Israeli raid. Witness accounts claim that troops compelled people to strip as a security measure, detaining some for questioning. The ministry also accused Israeli forces of setting fires in parts of Kamal Adwan, though the military dismissed the claims and attributed the fire to unrelated causes. Efforts to confirm these reports have been hindered by restricted access to Gaza.
The United Nations criticized these actions as violations of international law, warning that attacks on hospitals exacerbate the dire humanitarian situation. The blockade and bombardments have left northern Gaza isolated, with severe food and medical shortages. The World Health Organization reported critical damage to hospital infrastructure and called for urgent action to protect civilians and ensure aid delivery.
Israeli Forces Accused of Storming Gaza Hospital Amid Intensifying Humanitarian Crisis
Israel’s campaign against Hamas, launched after a deadly attack in October 2023, has devastated Gaza’s health sector. The offensive, described by Israel as targeting Hamas militants and infrastructure, has resulted in over 45,400 Palestinian deaths, many of them civilians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has petitioned the Israeli High Court to halt attacks on hospitals, emphasizing the abandonment of thousands of residents without medical care.
The crisis extends beyond the battlefield, with displaced Palestinians facing harsh winter conditions in overcrowded camps. Temperatures have dropped significantly, and at least three babies and one adult have died from exposure. Aid remains largely blocked, worsening the humanitarian crisis. Residents recount desperate attempts to stay warm and fed amid the destruction and displacement caused by ongoing hostilities.
Calls for ceasefires and humanitarian aid are mounting from international organizations and activists, as Gaza’s population endures unprecedented suffering. With more than 90% displaced and critical supplies scarce, the region faces a catastrophic situation that demands immediate global attention and intervention.
