Israeli Military Raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza Leaves Facility Out of Service, Director Detained

An Israeli military raid targeting Hamas militants has rendered the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza non-operational and led to the detention of its director, Hossam Abu Safiyeh, and several medical staff, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and local health officials. The raid, which began early Friday, caused severe damage to key departments of the hospital, further exacerbating Gaza’s ongoing health crisis.

The WHO reported that 60 health workers and 25 critically ill patients, some on ventilators, were still inside the hospital at the time of the attack. Many patients with moderate to severe conditions were evacuated to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which is also no longer functional.

In addition to the destruction, the hospital’s director, along with Gaza’s civil defense chief for the northern region, were detained by Israeli forces. The Israeli military has not commented on the detentions, but said the operation was based on intelligence regarding “terrorist infrastructure” in the area.

The raid has left the northern Gaza region in a catastrophic state, with no medical services, ambulances, or civil defense in operation. Local resident Ammar al-Barsh described the area as “in ruins” and said Israeli forces continued their assault, with heavy artillery shelling and drone activity.

The hospital’s director had previously warned about the precarious situation, accusing Israeli forces of deliberately targeting the hospital. Hamas has condemned the raid, calling it a “heinous crime” and accusing Israel of using false claims to justify the attack. Israel has intensified its offensive in northern Gaza since October 6, aiming to prevent Hamas militants from regrouping.