Dispute Over Israeli Operations at Gaza Hospital

The health authority in the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, has accused Israeli forces of detaining the director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital. According to the health authority, Hussam Abu Safeia and several other staff members were taken for questioning. Some of the hospital personnel were reportedly released after their interrogations, while the hospital director remains in custody, with no communication reported between him and his colleagues.

The Israeli military initially refrained from confirming these claims. However, they stated that their operations in the vicinity of the hospital began on Friday morning. The military alleges that Hamas is utilizing the facility in northern Gaza for military purposes and as a hideout.

The World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that the Kamal Adwan Hospital is no longer operational due to the military actions in the area. The Gaza health authority further accused Israeli forces of setting parts of the hospital on fire during their operation. Reports from the Palestinian news agency Wafa claim that this fire resulted in significant damage, destroying operating rooms, a laboratory, and the emergency department.

In response, the Israeli military contested this narrative, asserting that there was only a small fire in an unoccupied building during the operation. A spokesperson for the military claimed that the fire was under control and emphasized that there was no connection between their military actions and the blaze.

At present, the information provided by all parties involved cannot be independently verified, which complicates the understanding of the events taking place at the Kamal Adwan Hospital.