In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, tensions have escalated as Israeli forces recently detained hospital director Ahmed al-Kahlot and other staff members in Gaza. The health ministry, which is run by Hamas, has also reported that Israeli forces have targeted hospital rooms, sparking concerns over the safety of 12 children receiving pediatric care.

According to Ashraf al-Qudra, the spokesman for the health ministry, Israeli forces have been intensifying the siege and specifically targeting Kamal Adwan hospital in the northern part of Gaza. Al-Qudra stated that the occupation forces had fired at patient rooms and courtyards, leaving fears of potential harm to the children who are already facing deprivation of essential resources and life support equipment, such as milk supplies.

Reports from the United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA revealed that Kamal Adwan hospital was hit during the attack, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of two mothers in the maternity department. Al-Qudra further described how Israeli forces had stormed the hospital and rounded up men in the courtyard. Additionally, he mentioned that the detained staff members, including the hospital director, were subjected to torture and deprivation of food and drink. Fortunately, some of the detained staff members were later released.

The situation is not limited to Kamal Adwan hospital alone, as Israeli forces are also targeting Al-Awda hospital and tightening the siege on the facility. Al-Qudra pointed out that the forces are depriving it of basic necessities such as water, food, and electricity. Moreover, they are obstructing the access of wounded and sick individuals to the hospital.

This is not the first instance where Israeli troops have raided medical facilities in Gaza. The military has accused Hamas of using hospitals as command centers to carry out attacks against Israeli forces. The UN indicates that there is currently only one hospital in northern Gaza that is capable of admitting patients, while only 14 out of 36 hospitals across the region are functioning, providing limited healthcare services, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Since the conflict began more than two months ago, the death toll in Gaza has risen to over 18,600 with nearly 50,600 individuals wounded. Notably, on October 7, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people.

The impact of the ongoing conflict on medical facilities and healthcare provisions is a grave concern for the international community. Efforts to address the situation and provide necessary assistance to those affected remain crucial to prevent further loss of life and ensure basic healthcare services are accessible for the people in Gaza.