Following an hours-long communication blackout, the director of northern Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital reported that Israeli troops are still present on the ground, leading to a situation described as 'truly terrifying.' Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya recounted how the hospital endured intense bombardment, causing glass to shatter and doors to break.
Abu Safiya revealed that Israeli troops were conducting room searches, evacuating displaced individuals, and removing 44 staff members from the hospital. Currently, over 600 staff, patients, and family members are inside the hospital, with the Gaza Ministry of Health highlighting the deteriorating conditions.
The Israeli military's actions included cutting off the hospital’s electricity and solar power supply, as well as preventing access to the water well. Tragically, two children on ventilators lost their lives after the hospital’s oxygen supply was destroyed by Israeli forces.
Furthermore, children in the nursery had to be urgently transferred to the ICU area due to Israeli soldiers opening fire on the facility. Several hospital staff members sustained injuries from sniper fire, with three nursing staff members suffering facial, neck, and chest injuries, and a cleaner being shot in the face.
Despite claims by the Israeli military that their presence was based on intelligence regarding terrorists, the situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital remains dire. The hospital's chief described the ongoing bombing as continuous and extremely tragic.
Efforts to aid the hospital were made by COGAT, with assistance from UNICEF and WHO, resulting in the evacuation of several patients and provision of essential supplies. However, WHO's chief highlighted that around 200 patients, along with numerous others seeking shelter, are still within the hospital premises.
