In brief
Medical staff at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza urgently seek international intervention as ongoing Israeli airstrikes leave the facility severely damaged.
The Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last operational hospitals in northern Gaza, has been heavily damaged by Israeli shelling, raising urgent calls for humanitarian aid from medical staff at the facility. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of the hospital located in Jabaliya, reported that an Israeli tank shell struck the intensive care unit, causing severe destruction and fire. This unit serves as the only intensive care facility for both children and adults in the region, heightening anxiety regarding the fate of patients.The Israeli military, however, claims it is "not aware" of any specific attack on the ICU, suggesting they are investigating any nearby fighting. Historically, the Israeli government has accused Hamas of using hospitals as operational bases, yet health officials and hospital staff vehemently deny such allegations.Dr. Abu Safiya stressed the pressing need for repairs, particularly concerning water and oxygen supplies, but noted significant delays in receiving necessary materials. He urgently appealed to the international community for a humanitarian corridor to facilitate the delivery of medical supplies and ambulances to ensure continued medical services.For over two months, the hospital has been embroiled in the violence of an Israeli military offensive targeting Hamas. Dr. Abu Safiya described the previous day as one of the darkest periods for the facility, detailing how recent attacks necessitated the rapid evacuation of patients after a tank shell hit the intensive care unit. He emphasized that despite over 75 days of appeals for help from the global community, adequate support has yet to materialize, leaving both staff and patients vulnerable in an increasingly perilous environment.
