Israeli troops reportedly stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last operational medical facilities in northern Gaza, on Friday, forcing patients and medical staff to evacuate into cold winter conditions, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The incident is part of escalating hostilities in the region.
The Israeli military denies entering or setting fire to the facility, claiming Hamas militants use it as a base of operations. The hospital has been hit repeatedly over the last three months during military offensives, with a recent strike killing five medical staff, according to officials.
The Gaza Health Ministry stated that Israeli forces ordered patients and staff to assemble in the hospital yard, strip to their undergarments for security checks, and relocate to unknown destinations. Some patients were transferred to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was also rendered inoperable by Israeli airstrikes earlier this week.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) denied entering the facility but reiterated claims that Hamas militants operate within the hospital. No evidence was provided to substantiate this allegation, and hospital administrators denied Hamas’s presence in the complex.
The Health Ministry reported fires allegedly ignited by Israeli troops across critical hospital areas, including the surgical and laboratory departments. Hospital staff claimed the situation put patients in immediate danger, including those reliant on oxygen support. The Health Ministry estimates that 25 patients and 60 medical personnel remain trapped in the facility.
The United Nations condemned the incident, emphasizing the protection of medical facilities as mandated by international law. U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay highlighted reports of “significant damage” to Kamal Adwan Hospital and called for urgent measures to protect patients and healthcare workers.
The northern Gaza region, encompassing towns like Jabaliya and Beit Lahiya, remains largely sealed off due to intensified Israeli military operations. Food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid have been severely limited, with the United Nations reporting only four deliveries to the area in December. Thousands of Palestinians are believed to remain in these isolated areas, despite calls for safe evacuations.
Since the conflict escalated following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, more than 45,400 Palestinians have been killed, including many women and children, according to Gaza Health Ministry data. Over 108,000 individuals have been injured, while Israel’s airstrikes and offensives have devastated Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.
Displaced families in Gaza, most sheltering in overcrowded tent camps, are battling freezing temperatures. At least three infants have died from exposure to the cold, while an adult nurse also succumbed this week, according to health officials. The lack of adequate shelter, clothing, and heating has further worsened the humanitarian crisis.
