Israeli Military Withdraws from Gaza Hospital After Controversial Raid

On October 28, 2024, the Israeli forces' recent raid in northern Gaza raises serious concerns about the safety of medical facilities and humanitarian access in conflict areas.

Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have intensified, with the latest development involving the Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few remaining operational medical facilities in the area. Following a three-day raid, the Israeli military announced its withdrawal. However, this decision comes against a backdrop of significant claims from the Gaza health ministry regarding the alleged detention of nearly all medical personnel and the tragic deaths of two children due to a lack of critical support during the raid.

According to an Israeli military official, the operation, which commenced on Friday, aimed to arrest individuals suspected of having ties to Hamas, following a series of armed confrontations in the vicinity. The military justified its actions by stating that the hospital was not targeted, but rather served as a location where suspected militants were detained.

The consequences of this raid have been devastating. The Gaza health ministry has reported that all but one pediatrician were either expelled or detained during the Israeli operation. This has resulted in a dire situation for the remaining patients, compelling the health ministry to issue urgent calls for international medical assistance for those in need of care.

Moreover, the Israeli military took measures to dismantle oxygen tanks at the facility to ensure they were not rigged for explosive purposes, clarifying that while some damage was incurred during the operation, the essential medical infrastructure was preserved.

Eyewitness reports from a U.N. World Health Organization team that inspected the hospital before the Israeli raid painted a chaotic picture, revealing overburdened staff attending to patients lying on the floor, amid an alarming shortage of resources. The ministry later relayed distressing news, indicating that two children in intensive care succumbed when hospital generators failed during the incursions.

Despite the health ministry's allegations, the Israeli military has refrained from addressing claims of fatalities and expressed that it had supplied the hospital with essential medical resources, including fuel and blood. They also stated that numerous patients and medical personnel had been safely relocated to other medical centers throughout Gaza in the preceding weeks.

Repeated military actions at Kamal Adwan Hospital have spotlighted the intersection of healthcare and conflict, stirring international concern over the protection of medical facilities in war zones. As tensions continue to rise and the humanitarian situation worsens, calls for an end to hostilities and protection of healthcare settings remain critical.