Israeli forces have announced the capture of around 100 suspected Hamas militants during a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. The raid, which began on Friday and concluded on Saturday, was part of ongoing military operations in the region. Israeli military officials stated that the militants were apprehended while attempting to flee as civilians were evacuated from the hospital. The operation also reportedly uncovered weapons, terror funds, and intelligence documents within the hospital compound.
The Gaza health ministry and Hamas have denied the presence of militants at the hospital, which had been functioning under difficult conditions due to the heavy Israeli bombardment in the area. According to Gaza health officials, dozens of male medical staff members were detained during the raid, and the hospital sustained damage, further complicating its already strained operations.
In an online briefing, a senior Israeli military official explained that some militants had disguised themselves as medical personnel, forcing troops to check hospital staff as part of their operation. The military claimed that the damage caused to the hospital was minimal and necessary due to the presence of what they described as “dual-use” equipment, such as oxygen tanks, which could have posed a threat if detonated.
Footage shared by Gaza’s health ministry after the Israeli forces withdrew showed damage to several buildings at the hospital, although Reuters was unable to immediately verify the authenticity of the footage.
Medical staff at the hospital reportedly refused to leave their patients or evacuate the facility, where hundreds of displaced Palestinians had been taking shelter. Mayssoun Alian, a nurse at the hospital, described how men and women were separated during the evacuation, with male detainees being stripped for weapons checks. Mayssoun Alian stated that it was a humiliating experience for the men, who were initially left without clothes.
The Israeli military confirmed that suspected Hamas militants were stripped to ensure they were unarmed but later provided with clothing. The military maintained that civilians at the hospital were kept safe despite the intense fighting near the facility. They also claimed that they had supplied fuel, medical equipment, blood units, and ensured the hospital’s access to electricity and oxygen during the operation.
However, Gaza medics reported the tragic deaths of at least two children in the hospital’s intensive care unit after Israeli fire reportedly damaged the facility’s generators and oxygen supply on Friday. The incident further highlights the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the region as the conflict continues to intensify.
