In brief
Israeli airstrikes around Kamal Adwan Hospital result in multiple casualties, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Early Friday morning, the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabaliya, one of the few medical facilities still operational in northern Gaza, became the center of a tragic scene as Israeli airstrikes and heavy gunfire around the establishment caused scores of injuries and fatalities. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital's director, described the situation as “catastrophic,” detailing a series of airstrikes on the northern and western sides, which, while not impacting those inside, preceded a volley of gunfire that caught the area in chaos. When daylight broke, Dr. Safiya reported numerous bodies lying in the streets surrounding the hospital, including four medical staff members who died as a result of the violence. Amidst the turmoil, he noted that the medical supplies were running critically low within the facility, leaving hundreds of victims in dire need of aid—a claim that remains unverified by independent sources. As panic ensued, those present were allegedly instructed by Israeli forces to evacuate around 4 a.m., sowing further confusion among patients and staff alike. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, chief representative of the World Health Organization in the Palestinian territories, confirmed the “intense bombing” and the consequent chaos without a standard evacuation order that typically signals an imminent attack. As the situation in Gaza intensifies, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen as civilians bear the brunt of the conflict.
