Gaza Hospital under Fire: Israeli Forces Withdraw as Surge in Violence Continues
Israel Says Forces Returned to Northern Gaza to Root Out Hamas Fighters
Palestinian Territories: Israeli forces withdrew from a hospital complex in northern Gaza on Saturday, one day after storming it, and the Palestinian enclave’s health ministry said the troops had detained dozens of male medical staffers and some of the patients.
Hospital Under Siege
Health officials said that Israeli forces had stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of three medical facilities struggling to operate in the area, and also stationed forces outside it. Footage circulated by the health ministry showed damage to several buildings after the Israeli forces withdrew. Medics said at least 44 of the facility’s 70-member team of the hospital had been detained by the army. It later said the army had released 14 of them, including the hospital’s director.
Medical Staff Refuse to Leave
Medical staffers have refused Israeli army orders to evacuate the hospital or leave their patients unattended. Before the army raid, medics said at least 600 people had been in the hospital, including patients and their escorts. "The safety and lives of patients who are left inside Kamal Adwan Hospital without medical staff and much-needed medication are at risk now," said Marwan Al-Hams of the health ministry. Three nurses were injured during the raid and three ambulance vehicles were destroyed, the ministry said.
Military Strikes Continue
Israeli military strikes on the towns of Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza have so far killed around 800 people during a three-week offensive, the Gaza ministry added. Israel says its forces returned to northern Gaza to root out Hamas fighters who regrouped there. The Israeli military said on Friday that three of its soldiers were killed in combat in the north of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas Denies Accusations
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said Israel’s incursions in northern Gaza and storming Kamal Adwan Hospital were a violation of international humanitarian law that it could not have committed without "the protection of Western countries." Israel regularly accuses Hamas of exploiting the civilian population and property, including hospitals and mosques, for military purposes. Hamas denies the accusation.
Escalating Violence in West Bank
Violence has surged across the West Bank since the start of the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinians – including armed fighters, stone-throwing youthsm, and civilian bystanders – have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces. Dozens of Israelis have also been killed in Palestinian street attacks over the past year.
Death Toll Mounts
Hamas-led fighters attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. The death toll from Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza is approaching 43,000, with the densely populated enclave in ruins.
FAQs
- What did Israel say about its forces returning to northern Gaza?
Israel says its forces returned to northern Gaza to root out Hamas fighters who regrouped there. - How many people have been killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
The death toll has approached 43,000, with hundreds of Palestinians killed in clashes with Israeli forces and dozens of Israelis killed in Palestinian street attacks. - What is the current situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital?
Israeli forces storm the hospital, detaining dozens of medical staff and some patients, and withdrew the next day. - What is the international community’s response to the conflict?
The international community has called for a ceasefire and for the parties to engage in peace talks.