Israeli troops surround two remaining hospitals in northern Gaza

Deir al-Balah: Two of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza have been encircled by Israeli forces, blocking entry and exit, hospital staff and aid groups reported this week amid Israel’s intensified offensive in the Palestinian territory. The Indonesian Hospital and al-Awda Hospital remain among the few operational medical centres in the region.

Israeli authorities issued evacuation orders for large parts of northern Gaza on Friday, aiming to pressure the Hamas militant group to release hostages, with new evacuation directives following on Tuesday. Both hospitals, along with another hospital and three primary health care centres, lie within the designated evacuation zone. However, Israel has not ordered the evacuation of these medical facilities itself. Additionally, two more hospitals and four primary care centres are located within 1,000 metres of the evacuation zone, according to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO warned that Israeli military operations and evacuation orders are pushing Gaza’s health system “beyond the breaking point,” with hospitals in northern Gaza at serious risk of complete shutdown. Since the start of the 19-month conflict between Israel and Hamas, the UN agency has documented nearly 700 attacks on health care facilities across Gaza.

Israeli forces have raided or besieged hospitals throughout the war, accusing Hamas of using these centres as command posts and hiding militants, although evidence has only been provided for some claims. Hamas security personnel have been seen controlling access within hospitals during the conflict, and recent Israeli strikes have targeted alleged militants inside these health facilities.

Palestinians contend that the latest attacks on northern hospitals form part of a broader plan to forcibly displace Gaza’s population southward and eventually out of the territory. Israel has pledged to facilitate what it calls the “voluntary migration” of much of Gaza’s population to other countries, a plan many Palestinians and international observers regard as forced expulsion.

Rami Shurafi, a board member of al-Awda Hospital, said Israel intends “to ensure the forced displacement of people from the area.” The hospital’s courtyard and ambulances came under fire starting Monday.

The Indonesian Hospital, once the largest medical centre in northern Gaza, has been surrounded by Israeli troops stationed roughly 500 metres away. Drones have monitored movement above the hospital since Sunday, according to an aid group supporting the facility. The Israeli military stated that while forces operated nearby targeting Hamas infrastructure, they had not entered the hospital and ambulances were allowed to move.

Israeli bulldozers demolished the hospital’s perimeter wall, as reported by MERC-Indonesia and a hospital staff member who had since evacuated. On Tuesday, airstrikes hit the hospital’s generators, igniting a fire and damaging its main power supply as well as its water system, according to videos posted by MERC-Indonesia. Large flames were visible before dawn, but firefighters managed to control the blaze. At least one hospital staffer was killed, the WHO said, adding that those remaining urgently need water and food. The UN is working to transfer remaining patients to other medical facilities.

The military activity also damaged the hospital’s ceilings, roof, and some equipment. Around 20 doctors and staff members chose to stay, while most patients evacuated after fighting escalated from Thursday onwards. Videos from the hospital showed Israeli tanks mere metres from the building.

Nearby, Israeli drones struck the courtyard of al-Awda Hospital on Monday, preventing movement. On Tuesday, drone attacks targeted two ambulances transferring patients to Gaza City, forcing the crews to reroute to western Gaza. Hospital spokesperson Khaled Alhelo was unable to return due to ongoing military activity. Alhelo confirmed the hospital currently has no ambulances or internet connectivity.

Israeli forces are approximately 900 metres from al-Awda Hospital, but drones overhead present the greater threat, firing on anyone attempting movement. Staff reportedly keep low inside the facility for safety. About 47 patients remain, including nearly 20 children and several pregnant women, cared for by roughly 140 medical personnel.

The hospital board has decided against evacuation, calling for urgent medical supplies and the return of ambulances amid continued bombings and injuries. Shurafi described the current siege as the “most critical” phase since the conflict began.

The 19-month conflict erupted when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 hostages. Of those, 58 remain captive, with approximately one-third believed to be alive after some were released through ceasefire deals.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has devastated large parts of Gaza, with the Health Ministry reporting over 53,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children. The Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its toll.

With PTI inputs