Israel strikes newly delivered medical supplies at north Gaza hospital

Medical supplies delivered to Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza were destroyed by Israeli air strikes just five days after their arrival, revealed the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

During a press briefing yesterday, Dujarric explained that Israel’s blockade on northern Gaza is still in effect. He added that search and rescue teams, as well as medical staff, are blocked from carrying out their work due to Israel’s ongoing strikes on hospitals.

He emphasised that hospitals in Gaza are struggling to maintain operations despite the persistent bombardment.

Northern Gaza is currently the main focus of Israel’s assault in the enclave. Earlier this month it sent tanks into Jabalia, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia.

Eid Sabbah, director of nursing at Kamal Adwan – which is in Beit Lahia – said some staff had suffered minor burns after the Israeli strike hit the third floor of the hospital.

In response, World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the Israeli attack, writing on X that the hospital “has been barely functioning since the most recent raid” and that the “health situation in northern Gaza is appalling.”

He added: “We call on everyone to protect hospitals and fully comply with international humanitarian law.”

Moreover, the Ministry of Health called for all international bodies “to protect hospitals and medical staff from the brutality of the occupation.”

The Israeli army has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza since October 2023. More than 43,160 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 101,500 injured, according to local health authorities.

The onslaught has displaced almost the territory’s entire population amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its brutal war on Gaza.

Read: WHO chief says polio vaccination in northern Gaza resumes on Saturday