Patients, Staff Trapped as Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital Faces Israeli Siege

The Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza’s northern enclave is currently under siege by Israeli forces, according to reports from the Palestinian Health Ministry. The facility, located in Beit Lahiya, holds around 600 individuals, including 195 patients and 70 medical staff, who are now stranded amid military action and worsening conditions.

On Friday, Israeli forces reportedly raided the hospital, compelling patients to move to the main courtyard, which disrupted the care of vulnerable patients in the intensive care unit. This raid follows previous shelling of the hospital by Israeli tanks, further endangering those who rely on this essential medical facility.

Critical Power Shortages and Deaths in the ICU

Among the most pressing concerns is the reported generator failure at Kamal Adwan Hospital. Two children in intensive care have died after the oxygen station, crucial for maintaining life support, was targeted, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The lack of power, especially for critical systems like incubators and ventilators, threatens additional casualties as fuel reserves run low.

With the hospital’s ICU suffering damage and reports of fires disrupting evacuation efforts, the safety of both patients and staff hangs in the balance. Director Hussam Abu Safia described the risk, stating that, without intervention, the hospital “could become a mass grave” with patients at risk of dying every hour.

Global Outcry and Calls for Action

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms, with Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus stating that they have lost contact with personnel on the ground at Kamal Adwan. Tedros described the hospital’s overwhelming capacity, citing a “constant stream of horrific trauma cases,” with hundreds seeking shelter within its walls. WHO representative Rik Peeperkorn, who visited the area, recounted chaotic scenes, with women and children struggling to evacuate amid deteriorating conditions.

Global human rights groups, including the United Nations Human Rights Office, have expressed concern over the escalation in northern Gaza, calling for immediate humanitarian access to allow aid into the region.

Israeli Military Operations and Statements

In response, the Israeli military maintains that its operations near Kamal Adwan Hospital are based on intelligence suggesting the presence of militants in the vicinity. They stated that their efforts target “terrorist infrastructure” rather than civilian facilities, underscoring the broader objectives of their campaign in northern Gaza. However, the mounting civilian toll in these operations has led to heightened international scrutiny, with advocacy groups calling for adherence to international humanitarian standards in warfare.

Additional Impact on Northern Gaza’s Hospitals

Kamal Adwan Hospital is not the only facility affected by the conflict. The Indonesian Hospital, another critical facility in Beit Lahiya, was also rendered inoperative earlier in the week after Israeli forces reportedly stormed an adjacent school, detaining residents before a fire broke out. The resulting blaze damaged the hospital’s generators and rooftop solar panels, leaving the building powerless. The Indonesian Hospital’s patients were transferred to Kamal Adwan Hospital, which has since struggled to accommodate this increased patient load.

The United Nations has confirmed it cannot access the three main hospitals in northern Gaza — Kamal Adwan, Indonesian, and Al-Awda — due to ongoing military operations. The UN Human Rights Office condemned the situation, warning of a humanitarian crisis in a region now facing forced displacement and limited medical services.

Civilian Displacement and Concerns Over Medical Infrastructure

With limited functioning hospitals in northern Gaza, thousands of civilians are displaced. Witnesses report that the evacuation process remains chaotic, with fires hindering escape routes and ambulances facing difficulty navigating to reach the injured. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud described scenes of wounded patients being carried into the hospital courtyard as clashes escalated.

The ongoing assault has also impacted refugee camps and schools, leading to loss of civilian lives and heightened urgency for humanitarian assistance. According to Gaza’s civil defense, recent strikes have targeted neighborhoods in Gaza, with dozens, including children, killed in the attacks.

Regional Implications and Rising Civilian Toll

The health ministry in Gaza reports that over 150,000 civilians have been killed, injured, or are missing due to the recent escalation. As military activities unfold, international bodies, including the United Nations, continue to press for peace talks and humanitarian access. UN human rights chief Volker Turk has called the situation one of Gaza’s “darkest moments,” warning of a substantial civilian toll if hostilities continue.

A large number of civilians are attempting to leave affected areas in northern Gaza, but crossing borders remains difficult. The UN refugee agency reported that essential routes for escape, including the crossing between Lebanon and Syria, were recently hit, blocking paths for those fleeing violence.

Escalation in Lebanon and Increased Strain on Civilians

The conflict has expanded beyond Gaza, with attacks also reported along the Lebanon-Israel border. Israel’s recent operations targeting Hezbollah militants have sparked fresh violence, killing hundreds in Lebanon. A Friday strike in the southern Lebanese town of Hasbaya killed three journalists, prompting Lebanese authorities to decry the attack as “deliberate.” The Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, condemned these actions as part of broader “war crimes” amid growing calls for a ceasefire.

Both Hezbollah and the Israeli military have reported further clashes along the border, with multiple strikes across towns and checkpoints.

The Need for Humanitarian Solutions

The current escalation poses severe risks to Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, endangering vulnerable civilians in critical need of care. Calls for intervention emphasize the importance of allowing humanitarian corridors to aid besieged hospitals and ensure safety for displaced individuals.

Global health organizations and governments continue to urge restraint, highlighting that humanitarian provisions and the protection of medical facilities are central to maintaining human rights and mitigating the impact on civilians. The situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital underscores the urgent need for diplomatic engagement to prevent further loss of life and support medical facilities under duress.