December 23, 2024 | Arcnews.online
In a dire development from the Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities ordered the closure and evacuation of the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahiya, one of the few medical facilities still partially operational in the besieged northern Gaza area. The evacuation, announced on Sunday, has left hospital staff and patients scrambling for safety amidst heavy bombardment and a shortage of essential resources.
Husam Abu Safiya, the head of the hospital, expressed grave concern over the order to evacuate, warning that it would be “next to impossible” to relocate nearly 400 civilians, including babies in critical care units, due to the lack of sufficient ambulances and medical equipment. “We cannot evacuate these patients safely without assistance, equipment, and time,” Abu Safiya said in a text message to Reuters. He also highlighted the immediate threat posed by targeted airstrikes on fuel tanks, which could result in catastrophic explosions.
The Israeli military responded by stating that they had already provided fuel and food supplies to the hospital and had assisted in evacuating over 100 patients and caregivers to other Gaza hospitals in coordination with the Red Cross. However, the situation remains precarious, with the hospital continuing to operate under intense pressure and at high risk.
A Humanitarian Crisis in Northern Gaza
The Kamal Adwan hospital is situated in one of the most contested regions of Gaza, a focal point of Israel’s military operations targeting Hamas militants. The area has been under siege for nearly three months as part of Israel’s ongoing military offensive, marking one of the most intense phases of the 14-month-long conflict. The Israeli military asserts that its operation in Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and Jabalia aims to neutralize Hamas forces, but Palestinians accuse Israel of attempting to permanently depopulate the region to create a buffer zone, a claim that Israel denies.
Inside the hospital, conditions have become increasingly dire. Photographs show patients crowded into hallways as they are moved away from windows to avoid shrapnel and direct hits from airstrikes. Abu Safiya said the Israeli military had ordered the evacuation of the hospital’s patients to another facility, which is already overwhelmed by the sheer number of casualties.
Ongoing Clashes and Civilian Casualties
As the fighting intensifies, both Hamas and the Israeli military continue to report casualties. On Sunday, Hamas released a video showing its fighters engaged in combat in northern Gaza, claiming responsibility for attacks on Israeli forces. In response, the Israeli military confirmed that its forces had struck Hamas militants and infrastructure in Beit Hanoun.
Simultaneously, the humanitarian toll continues to rise. According to medical sources, at least 29 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Sunday, including eight people, some of them children, who were sheltering in a school in Gaza City. Another airstrike targeted a designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, killing at least five individuals, including two children. The Israeli military maintains that it targets Hamas militants operating from within civilian areas but insists it takes precautions to minimize civilian casualties. Hamas, however, denies using civilians as human shields.
Efforts for a Ceasefire
International mediators have ramped up efforts to broker a ceasefire as the humanitarian crisis deepens. After months of stalled talks, there are increasing calls for both sides to halt the violence, particularly as Gaza’s civilian infrastructure continues to collapse.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted in full force after Hamas militants launched an attack on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of more than 250 hostages. As of now, approximately half of those hostages are believed to be alive, while Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports that more than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed, many of whom were civilians. The war has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, leaving the coastal enclave in ruins.
Global Impact
The continuing escalation in Gaza underscores the broader geopolitical tensions in the region, with the conflict drawing in international actors and exacerbating divisions. The closure of hospitals and the displacement of civilians reflect the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is struggling to cope with the consequences of months of intense military operations.
As the world watches the unfolding tragedy, calls for accountability and a negotiated resolution grow louder. However, the path to peace remains uncertain, with both Israel and Hamas maintaining firmly entrenched positions.
