Gaza Hospital Director Arrested Amid Ongoing Conflict
Gaza, PalestineSunday, December 29, 2024
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In the latest turn of events, Israeli forces have arrested the director of one of the last operating hospitals in northern Gaza. This comes after a series of overnight strikes in the region, which resulted in nine deaths, including children, according to Palestinian medical officials. Meanwhile, Israeli sirens blared across the country.
Israeli troops raided Kamal Adwan Hospital, forcing staff and patients out into the cold winter weather. They claim Hamas militants are operating inside the hospital, but have provided no evidence. Hospital officials strongly deny these allegations. The hospital has been targeted multiple times in the past three months, with one strike earlier this week killing five medical staff.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital director, was arrested along with dozens of other employees. Humanitarian organization MedGlobal expressed grave concern, noting this isn't the first time their staff has been detained. Five other staff members were arrested in October.
The ongoing conflict has severely impacted Gaza's healthcare sector. Over 15 months of bombardment and offensives have led to the deaths of over 45, 400 Palestinians, including more than half women and children, and injured over 108, 000 others. Israel vowed to destroy Hamas after a deadly attack in October 2023, which killed around 1, 200 Israelis and abducted 250 others.
Despite intensified airstrikes, tens of thousands of Palestinians remain in the northern Gaza areas, where Kamal Adwan and two other hospitals are located. Israel has continued attacks, with strikes in Maghazi killing nine people, including women and children. Meanwhile, Israelis wake to air raid sirens as missiles are intercepted.