In brief
An Israeli airstrike on the Kuwait Specialty Field Hospital in southern Gaza killed a security guard and injured ten patients, as reported by the facility's director, Dr. Suhaib al-Hamss. This incident occurred shortly after a previous attack on the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, which remains one of the few operational medical centers in the area. The Israeli military has yet to comment on this latest strike, although they stated they were investigating the incident.
Dr. al-Hamss indicated that the guard was killed while trying to protect the hospital entrance, with several of the wounded patients suffering serious injuries. The strike has significantly impacted the already strained healthcare system in Gaza, with the World Health Organization highlighting that most of the region's hospitals have sustained damage during the conflict. Only 21 out of 36 hospitals continue to function at partial capacity, compounded by shortages of critical medical supplies due to blockade-induced aid disruptions.Israel has voiced allegations that Hamas utilizes healthcare facilities for military activities, claims which have been denied by the militant group. Dr. al-Hamss emphasized that the Kuwaiti hospital's location had been communicated to Israeli authorities prior to the attack and affirmed that no Hamas offices were located within the facility. He stressed that their operations are strictly medical, as the hospital caters to about 3,500 patients daily, providing essential care amid the collapse of Gaza's health services.
