GAZA CITY: A leading international human rights organization has issued a strong condemnation of Israel following the burning of Kamal Adwan Hospital, a critical healthcare facility in northern Gaza. The incident has left the region's healthcare system severely debilitated, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) reported that Israeli forces besieged the hospital on December 27, forcing the evacuation of patients and medical personnel amid heavy artillery fire. The assault included forced evacuations, the arrest of medical staff, and the destruction of vital healthcare facilities, further crippling the region's already strained healthcare infrastructure.
The ICHR detailed that critically ill patients were transferred to the Indonesian Hospital, which at the time was non-operational, while others were subjected to interrogation and searches after being compelled to relocate to the Al-Fakhoura area. Following the evacuation, the hospital was set ablaze, resulting in the destruction of essential medical equipment and facilities.
The organization cited the World Health Organization, stating that the actions by the Israeli military represented "a systematic dismantling of Gaza's healthcare system," effectively jeopardizing the lives of thousands of Palestinians who depend on it. The statement also highlighted the dire situation facing other hospitals in northern Gaza, including the Beit Hanoun Governmental Hospital, which are out of service, leaving Al-Awda Hospital barely operational under relentless bombardment.
The human rights group denounced these acts as violations of international law, asserting that they constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva Conventions. The ICHR emphasized the long-term consequences of these attacks, which undermine the right to health for Gaza's population.
The commission called for urgent international intervention, including the prosecution of Israeli leaders and an immediate resolution by the United Nations Security Council to protect Gaza's healthcare system. It also urged for an independent investigation by the International Criminal Court and pressed the international community to advocate for the release of detained healthcare workers and the provision of necessary medical supplies to support the remaining infrastructure.
The attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital, described by the ICHR as a "heinous violation of human rights," is viewed as contributing to "an ongoing crime of genocide against the civilian population of Gaza." The incident is part of a broader conflict that has seen Israeli forces reportedly cause over 45,500 deaths in Gaza following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023.
In a related development, arrest warrants have been issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.