In brief
Israeli airstrikes around the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza have led to alarming casualties, prompting urgent calls for medical aid as the situation remains dire.
Early on Friday, Israeli airstrikes and active ground gunfire caused heavy casualties surrounding the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabaliya, one of the few medical facilities still operational in northern Gaza. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital's director, reported a series of airstrikes targeting northern and western sides of the building. While no immediate casualties were reported within the hospital, the aftermath revealed bodies outside, with four medical personnel confirmed dead."The situation inside and around the hospital is catastrophic," Dr. Safiya stated, relayed through Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas, the governing body in the territory. He noted that medical supplies are nearly depleted, and the contending figures cite hundreds of victims, though this number remains unverified.Although the Israeli military has not provided a response to these claims, Dr. Rik Peeperkorn of the World Health Organization highlighted the chaos created by an order for evacuation, which was made without an official warning usually associated with airstrikes. "Intense bombing" close to the hospital and subsequent ground operations were described as having contributed to widespread panic, ultimately amplifying the number of casualties as Israeli forces entered the area around 4 a.m. that day.The situation continues to deteriorate, drawing attention to the dire humanitarian crisis facing Gaza amidst ongoing conflict.
