Gaza City, Gaza Strip – Israeli forces made a controversial move by arresting the director of the last major hospital in northern Gaza, accusing him and his staff of being Hamas terrorists. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a vocal critic of the Israel Defense Forces, was among the more than 240 people detained at Kamal Adwan Hospital on suspicion of terrorist activities.

The Israeli military claimed that the hospital was being used as a shelter by terrorists seeking refuge from Israeli bombardments in northern Gaza. Despite the evacuation of 350 patients, caregivers, and staff members prior to the raid, the IDF still arrested many individuals and forced everyone remaining to leave the hospital.

There were conflicting reports about the raid, with the IDF stating that 19 terrorists were killed in the skirmish, while the Hamas-run ministry of health asserted that about 50 people, including medical staff, lost their lives during the operation. Safiya’s whereabouts were unknown following his arrest, prompting outcry from humanitarian groups who condemned the closure of the hospital in war-torn northern Gaza.

Hamas called for a United Nations investigation into the arrests and the shutdown of Kamal Adwan Hospital, emphasizing the need for international observers to verify the truth of the situation. Meanwhile, the patients evacuated from the hospital were transferred to other medical facilities, although Gaza health officials expressed concerns about the adequacy of the new facilities to meet the patients’ needs.

The detention of individuals suspected of terrorism and the subsequent actions taken by the IDF have sparked debates about the treatment of medical personnel in conflict zones and the enforcement of international humanitarian law. Safiya’s arrest has drawn attention to the challenges faced by healthcare providers in war-torn regions and the implications of such operations on the delivery of essential medical services in Gaza.

Overall, the incident at Kamal Adwan Hospital underscores the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and raises questions about the protection of civilians, medical personnel, and healthcare facilities in areas affected by ongoing violence. As tensions continue to escalate in the region, efforts to address humanitarian concerns and uphold international laws remain critical for promoting peace and stability in Gaza.