In an alarming revelation, 14 doctors and two nurses in Gaza have told NBC News that the Israeli military is intentionally destroying medical facilities and undermining the healthcare system in the region. According to the medical professionals, this campaign includes detaining and killing medical staff both in their workplaces and homes.

The Israeli military has defended its actions by claiming that the medical facilities in Gaza are being used as operating bases for Hamas. However, the scenes witnessed in these facilities are nothing short of harrowing. A photograph shared with NBC News shows Israeli soldiers with rifles drawn at Al Khair hospital as people stand with their hands up. Additionally, a video captured by witnesses at Nasser Hospital depicts a tank rolling through the streets and the sound of automatic gunfire as the Israeli military stormed the complex on February 14. The hospital corridors were filled with smoke, debris, and chaos.

Dr. Ahmed Almoghrabi, a plastic surgeon who witnessed the raid, expressed his concerns for the safety of his children, which prompted him to flee Gaza for Egypt. He stated, "I had only two options. Either they will kill us or they will detain us, and both choices are very bad." According to Dr. Almoghrabi, most of his colleagues who remained at the hospital are now imprisoned or have faced tragic fates, like reconstructive surgeon Dr. Ahmad Maqadmeh who was killed inside the Al-Shifa complex.

Several medical professionals, including Dr. Hammam Alloh and Dr. Medhat Saidam, were reportedly targeted in their homes. Dr. Alloh, Gaza's only kidney specialist, was killed shortly after returning home, while Dr. Saidam, a senior plastic and reconstructive surgeon, fell victim to a strike on his family home, just 30 minutes after arriving with his sister.

The 16 interviewed healthcare workers unanimously believe that the Israeli military is deliberately attacking medical facilities and targeting doctors. Disturbingly, the death toll among specialist doctors in Gaza has risen to at least 50 since Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas' October 7 terror attacks and hostage-taking incidents. The World Health Organization reports that as of June, at least 20 out of Gaza's 36 hospitals have been destroyed or rendered inoperable.

The Israeli military has continuously argued that Hamas is exploiting hospitals for military purposes, including weapon storage and hiding among civilians. However, none of the doctors interviewed confirmed witnessing any militant or terrorist activities within hospital premises. Palestinian health officials and Hamas leaders have repeatedly denied these allegations.

In a grim ritual, the doctors have been documenting the deaths and disappearances of their colleagues in a WhatsApp group, which has morphed into a forum for sharing news, photos, and videos of hospitals under attack. Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, one of the doctors engaged in this group, expressed concern that the highly qualified medical professionals who can afford to leave Gaza are doing so, which may result in making the region uninhabitable.

The situation has been worsened by the imprisonment of medical workers by Israeli forces. The World Health Organization reports that as of May, 214 medical workers have been detained, with several dying in custody, including renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Adnan al Bursh. The circumstances surrounding his death have raised serious concerns of torture by Israeli authorities.

The Israeli Prison Service has not provided information concerning the whereabouts of Dr. Khaled Al Serr, a general surgery specialist who has been missing since March 24. Amnesty International has demanded his immediate release, stating that he has been subjected to enforced disappearance.

Former detainees, such as Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital, have reported deplorable conditions within the prisons, including physical and psychological abuse. A nurse, who spoke anonymously due to fear of repercussions, shared similar experiences of being subjected to long hours of sitting and inhumane treatment.

These distressing accounts shed light on the devastating impact of the conflict on the already fragile healthcare system in Gaza. International attention and intervention are urgently needed to ensure the protection of medical personnel and the provision of essential healthcare services to the vulnerable population.