The situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza has become a harrowing symbol of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, as the facility now operates with only a single doctor after repeated Israeli raids and arrests. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed grave concern over the hospital’s conditions, warning that the lack of medical staff, supplies, and security poses a catastrophic risk to patients.
Following a recent raid, Palestinian Health Ministry spokesperson Dr. Khalil Dagran revealed in a video statement that only one doctor remains at the hospital, attempting to care for hundreds of patients amidst severe shortages.
“Patients are bleeding to death due to the lack of proper care,” Dr. Dagran stated, urging international health organizations to intervene and send medical teams to relieve the overwhelmed hospital staff.
The crisis escalated last week when Israeli forces stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, reportedly arresting over 100 individuals and claiming they were “terrorists” operating under Hamas's direction.
Health officials in Gaza categorically denied these allegations, asserting that the hospital is strictly a medical facility serving civilians in one of Gaza’s most densely populated areas.
According to Dr. Dagran, the raid left the hospital in ruins, with entrances destroyed and sections of the building set ablaze, forcing medical personnel to operate in increasingly dangerous conditions.
In a stark Twitter statement, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep alarm over the developments at Kamal Adwan Hospital. “We have lost contact with our staff at the hospital, which is incredibly worrying given the hundreds of patients there,” he said. Dr. Tedros called for an “immediate ceasefire” and emphasized that “hospitals, patients, and healthcare workers must be protected.”
The challenges facing Kamal Adwan Hospital are further compounded by severe shortages of medical supplies, including essential items for emergency and trauma care.
Dr. Marwan Al-Hamas, Director of Field Hospitals for Gaza’s Health Ministry, told Al Jazeera, “The Israeli forces destroyed critical medicine supplies in the hospital, making it nearly impossible to provide proper care.” He described the current conditions as “the smell of death” surrounding the facility.
The WHO’s recent attempts to provide support were hindered by deteriorating security, with reports indicating that its team could only deliver a limited supply of blood units, trauma kits, and medications before losing access to the hospital.
“Kamal Adwan Hospital was filled with around 200 patients, including many seeking shelter when contact was lost,” Dr. Tedros said. “Reaching hospitals in Gaza has become incredibly dangerous, exposing our staff to extreme risks.”
Despite appeals, Israeli occupation forces continue to encircle key areas, obstructing the delivery of medical aid to the northern region of Gaza, which has seen a surge in casualties from the ongoing offensive.