Israel Detains 240 Palestinians After Gaza Hospital Raid
Israeli forces have detained over 240 Palestinians, including dozens of medical staff and the director of a Gaza hospital, following a raid on the medical facility, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and the Israeli military.
The raid targeted the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on Friday. The Health Ministry expressed deep concern for the well-being of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital’s director, after some staff members released by the military reported that he had been beaten by soldiers.
The Israeli military stated that the hospital was being used as a command center by Hamas for military operations, and those arrested were suspected militants. They added that Dr. Abu Safiya was taken for questioning on suspicion of being a Hamas operative.
Hamas, the group controlling Gaza, dismissed Israel’s claims, stating that no fighters were in the hospital and has yet to comment on the mass arrests. In a statement on Saturday, Hamas urged the United Nations and international agencies to intervene to protect remaining hospitals and medical facilities in northern Gaza and called for UN observers to refute Israeli allegations of military use.
WHO Expresses Concern
The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed alarm over the raid, labeling it as part of a systematic dismantling of Gaza’s health system. “WHO is appalled by yesterday’s raid. The systematic dismantling of the health system and a siege for over 80 days on North Gaza puts the lives of the 75,000 Palestinians remaining in the area at risk,” the organization said in a statement.
Patients were evacuated from Kamal Adwan Hospital to other facilities, including the Indonesian Hospital, which is not fully operational. The Health Ministry reported that medics were prevented from joining their patients. The Israeli military claimed that evacuations were coordinated with local health authorities.
Escalating Tensions in Gaza
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli strikes across the enclave killed 18 Palestinians on Saturday, including at least nine people in a house in Maghazi camp in central Gaza. The Israeli military did not comment on these strikes.
In recent months, Israeli forces have conducted operations in northern Gaza towns like Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya, leading to significant destruction and displacement. Palestinians accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing to create a buffer zone, a claim Israel denies, stating its aim is to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping.
The Israeli military announced new operations against targets in the Beit Hanoun area and urged remaining civilians to relocate south for their safety, citing rocket fire from the area, including one intercepted rocket aimed at Jerusalem.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Since the conflict escalated following Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to Gaza, Israel’s campaign has led to the deaths of over 45,400 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, and much of the enclave lies in ruins.
The ongoing conflict continues to draw international concern, with calls for humanitarian intervention and a focus on the protection of civilians and medical facilities.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
