Hundreds Detained as Israeli Military Raids Gaza’s Last Functional Hospital
GAZA – In a dramatic turn of events, the Israeli military conducted a large-scale operation at Gaza’s last functioning hospital, Hospital Kamal Adwan in Beit Lahia. On Friday, the army forced the evacuation of the facility, an act that had been precede by extensive bombing in the surrounding areas, ostensibly targeting Hamas operations. The evacuation left patients without adequate alternative medical facilities, sparking outrage and concern among international health organizations.
Forced Evacuation and Mass Arrests
According to Al Jazeera correspondents, around 400 people, including medical staff and patients, were arrested during the operation. Many were questioned and released a few hours later, but the current number of those still detained remains unknown. The military had initially requested the evacuation of the building earlier in the week, but the lack of alternative medical facilities has raised serious questions about the humanitarian implications of the evacuation.
Witnesses reported that during the raid, staff and patients able to walk were gathered and separated by gender. Men over the age of 15 were arrested, and individuals were allegedly forced to disrobe for inspection, with refusal leading to physical violence, according to testimonies.
Patients Left in Limbo
Following the evacuation, many patients and staff were forced to relocate to the Indonesian Hospital, a nearby facility deemed "destroyed and non-functional" by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, around 25 patients and 60 healthcare workers remain at Kamal Adwan.
Israel Denies Army’s Role in Hospital Fire
In a statement, the Israeli army denied any connection between its military operation and a small fire that broke out at the Kamal Adwan Hospital. The army’s spokesperson, Nadav Shoshani, dismissed claims that Israeli soldiers were involved in the incident, implying that the fire was unrelated to the ongoing conflict.
The raid on Gaza’s last functional hospital has drawn international condemnation, with many questioning the Israeli military’s tactics and the humanitarian impact on Gaza’s civilian population. The situation remains fluid, and updates are expected in the coming hours.
