Tensions Surge as Conflict Engulfs Gaza’s Medical Facilities

Smoke rising over cityscape at sunset; two birds flying.

Early on the morning of October 25, 2024, Israeli airstrikes targeted the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza, resulting in at least 38 Palestinian casualties and dozens more injured. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that many of the victims were women and children, describing the events as multiple “massacres” caused by strikes on residential homes in the southeast Khan Younis region.

At a glance:

  • 38 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, with dozens more injured, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
  • Israeli forces raided Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, claiming it is a hub for Hamas operations.
  • The Gaza Health Ministry called for immediate international intervention as hospitals face dire conditions amidst ongoing conflict.

The strikes occurred around dawn and were focused on densely populated areas, with numerous residential buildings reportedly hit. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 38 people lost their lives in the airstrikes, and hospitals in the area received dozens of injured civilians. The ministry emphasized that many of the casualties were women and children.

In addition to the airstrikes in Khan Younis, Israeli forces raided the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation was based on intelligence suggesting the presence of Hamas fighters and infrastructure in the vicinity of the hospital. In response, the health ministry in Gaza condemned the raid, describing the situation as “catastrophic” and highlighting the risk to patients and medical staff.

The IDF reported that it had facilitated the transfer of 23 patients, accompanied by 26 escorts, from Kamal Adwan Hospital to other medical facilities within Gaza. The evacuation was conducted using a combination of ambulances and United Nations vehicles, reflecting the ongoing strain on Gaza’s healthcare system amidst the conflict.

In a statement, the Gaza Health Ministry called for immediate action to address the critical conditions in hospitals across the region, asserting that international inaction amounts to complicity in what they describe as systematic violence against civilians and healthcare infrastructure. The ministry claimed that hundreds of patients and medical personnel remain trapped inside the Kamal Adwan Hospital due to Israeli military presence.

International Reactions and Allegations

The situation has drawn significant international attention. Jordan’s Foreign Minister has accused Israel of carrying out “ethnic cleansing” in northern Gaza, citing the high civilian toll and the large-scale displacement of Palestinians in recent weeks. The allegations echo broader criticisms of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have faced scrutiny from human rights organizations and international observers.

Additionally, Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) due to its military operations in Gaza. The ICJ previously issued an order in January for Israel to take measures to halt what it deemed atrocities in the region. Both Israel and the United States have rejected the case as unfounded, asserting that the Israeli military’s actions are necessary to combat Hamas and protect Israeli civilians.

The ongoing conflict remains a focal point of international concern, as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate under the pressure of sustained military operations.

But what is Israel to do?