Israeli tanks and forces withdrew from Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on Saturday, leaving behind scenes of destruction and chaos. Distressed civilians, who said they had nowhere to go, were seen searching for bodies under the rubble.
Earlier this week, Ashraf Al-Qudra, a spokesman for the health ministry in Gaza, reported that Israeli troops had raided the hospital. According to Al-Qudra, the troops rounded up men and boys, including medical staff, in the courtyard. The soldiers called on all individuals aged 16-65 to surrender. Medical staff on-site estimated that around 3,000 internally displaced people, including many who had fled violence in other parts of Gaza, were present at the hospital during the raid.
A resident of Rafah shared a heartbreaking account, stating, “He is 25 years old, not part of the resistance movements. He is a patient with mental health issues. I went to get him his medicine. Look, this is his medicine, but I can’t find him; he is under the rubble.”
Residents expressed anguish over the loss of lives, with children traumatized, wounded individuals left without facilities and supplies, and a plea for an in-depth solution. Many have lost their homes and relatives, and finding shelters, including tents, has become an urgent concern.
The heavy bombardment and tank shelling have significantly damaged Kamal Adwan Hospital’s facilities and the roads leading to it. Despite the destruction, it remains the only functional hospital in northern Gaza, according to its staff.
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement noting that out of the 36 hospitals in Gaza, only 11 remain partially functional. The situation underscores the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and support in the region.
