Key facts
- An Israeli drone strike hit the courtyard of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, Gaza.
- Several Palestinians were injured in the attack.
- At least four hospital staff members were killed.
- The World Health Organization stated Israel issued no warning before the strike.
- Israeli forces stormed the hospital and ordered staff, patients, and displaced people into the courtyard.
An Israeli drone strike on Friday hit the courtyard of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, Gaza, injuring several Palestinians, according to Al Jazeera citing emergency services sources. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that Israel issued no warning or evacuation order before the bombing, only rumors that caused panic. At least four staff members were killed in the air strikes and subsequent storming of the facility by Israeli forces.
Hossam Abu Safieh, director of the hospital, reported that a series of air strikes hit the northern and western sides of the facility, accompanied by intense and direct fire. Soldiers entered the hospital, ordering all staff, patients, and displaced people into the courtyard before allowing them to return hours later. Some hospital staff were ordered to leave the premises permanently.
The WHO noted that the attack was particularly troubling as it occurred shortly after the organization had facilitated the entry of an Indonesian medical delegation. The hospital was described as minimally functional, with approximately 12,000 patients across Gaza needing medical evacuation, of whom only 78 have been evacuated so far.
Gaza's Ministry of Health accused the Israeli military of committing a "war crime" by perpetrating "all forms of killing and violence inside and around it." The Israeli army had not commented on the attack at the time of reporting. The ministry stated that the injured remaining inside were in critical condition and required immediate medical care.
Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu Azzoum reported that medical sources confirmed patients were ordered out of the facility, while the Indonesian medical delegation managed to flee to al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. He suggested the actions were an attempt to empty northern Gaza of medical facilities and push civilians towards Gaza City to impose military control.
Hospitals, their staff, patients, and vehicles are protected under international law. The previous week, an Israeli drone killed the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. Israel has accused Hamas fighters of using civilian buildings, including hospitals, for operational cover, a claim Hamas denies, accusing Israel of indiscriminate bombings.