In a controversial move drawing global attention, the Israeli military has forcibly evacuated Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last operational healthcare facility in northern Gaza, according to medics on the ground. The evacuation followed intense airstrikes that reportedly claimed dozens of lives near the hospital.
Eid Sabbah, the head of nursing at Kamal Adwan, told the BBC that Israeli forces arrived early Friday morning, giving the hospital administration just 15 minutes to evacuate all patients and staff into the courtyard. Israeli troops then entered the premises, relocating the remaining patients under military oversight.
The Israeli military stated later that its operation targeted what it described as a “Hamas terrorist stronghold” in the vicinity of the hospital. They claimed to have “facilitated the secure evacuation of civilians, patients, and medical personnel” before launching the operation. However, no details were provided on where the evacuated patients would be transferred. Earlier reports indicated plans to relocate them to the Indonesian Hospital, which was itself evacuated earlier in the week.
Dr. Sabbah expressed grave concerns over the evacuation, especially for ICU patients on life support. “These patients are critically dependent on ventilation machines, and moving them without specialized vehicles poses significant risks to their lives,” he warned.
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The evacuation comes amidst harrowing reports from Kamal Adwan’s director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who revealed that Israeli airstrikes had killed approximately 50 people in the hospital’s vicinity, including five medical staff. Among the victims were a paediatrician, a lab technician, and their families, as well as two paramedics who were struck while responding to the initial bombings.
“The bodies of our paramedics remain in the streets, unreachable due to ongoing bombardments,” Dr. Abu Safiya lamented in his statement.
The Israeli military, however, denied awareness of any strikes near the hospital and stated it was investigating claims of casualties among the staff.
Kamal Adwan Hospital had become a lifeline for thousands of residents trapped under a tightening blockade imposed on northern Gaza since October. The UN has described the situation as a “near-total siege,” with the area experiencing severe restrictions on aid and essential supplies. Oxfam has accused the Israeli military of systematically obstructing humanitarian efforts to deliver aid to the region.
The evacuation underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 10,000 residents remain stranded under constant shelling and airstrikes. Hospital administrators have issued repeated pleas for protection, warning that healthcare facilities are increasingly being targeted in the conflict.
