Tánaiste Micheál Martin expressed being “deeply concerned” regarding reports from the World Health Organization indicating that an assault by Israeli forces has rendered the last significant hospital in northern Gaza non-operational.
The attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital, located in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, commenced early Friday morning, leading the WHO to report that the hospital was evacuated of patients and staff.
Israel’s military stated today that its forces managed to eliminate approximately 20 Palestinian militants during the operation, which they described as one of their “largest actions” in the region.
“During the operation, around 20 terrorists were neutralized, and significant explosive devices planted by the terrorists were taken out,” the Israeli military reported.
Additionally, the military announced the detention of the hospital’s director, Hossam Abu Safiyeh, whom they suspect has ties to Hamas.
Mr. Martin, serving as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, voiced his apprehension about the detainment of medical staff, including the hospital’s director.
He stated: “I am deeply concerned by reports from the World Health Organisation that an IDF attack has incapacitated the last major hospital in North Gaza, along with the detention of hospital staff including its director.”
In his evening statement, Mr. Martin emphasized that “international humanitarian law must be upheld at all times by all involved parties” and that “hospitals and health facilities, along with medical and humanitarian personnel, must be safeguarded.”
Mr. Martin reiterated his appeal for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and an increase in humanitarian aid across all regions of Gaza.
“An immediate end to violence and the killing of civilians and innocent children is urgently needed,” he added.
Israeli forces have announced a new evacuation order in the besieged northern Gaza town, according to residents.
Residents reported that Israeli forces, amid a weeks-long offensive in northern Gaza, have instructed any remaining inhabitants in Beit Hanoun to evacuate, citing Palestinian militant rocket fire originating from the area.
This instruction to leave has triggered another wave of displacement, though it remains unclear how many individuals were affected, as per residents’ accounts.
Israeli officials assert that their nearly three-month-long campaign in northern Gaza targets Hamas militants and aims to prevent their reorganization. They claim that the evacuation instructions are designed to protect civilians from danger.
However, Palestinian and United Nations officials argue that no location in Gaza is safe, expressing that evacuations further deteriorate the humanitarian situation for the population.
A significant portion of the regions surrounding the northern towns of Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, and Beit Lahiya has been cleared of inhabitants and demolished, leading to speculation that Israel plans to establish a closed buffer zone in the area post-conflict.
The Israeli military announced its renewed offensive in the Beit Hanoun area yesterday.
People mourn relatives killed in an Israeli strike on Khan Younis
The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported a loss of communication with individuals still trapped in Beit Hanoun, as they were unable to deploy teams into the region due to the ongoing assault.
This morning, health officials reported that an Israeli tank shell struck the upper floor of the Al-Ahly Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, specifically impacting the X-ray division.
Simultaneously, Palestinian health representatives indicated that Israeli military strikes across Gaza resulted in at least 16 fatalities, with one of the strikes at Al-WAFA Hospital in Gaza City killing seven people and injuring several others, according to a statement from the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service.
The Israeli military stated that it is investigating this report.
A baby has died from ‘severe cold’ – Gaza health officials report.
Gaza health officials announced that a 20-day-old baby succumbed today to “severe cold” as the war-torn Palestinian territory contends with wintry weather conditions.
Jumaa al-Batran died from exposure to the cold, while his twin brother remains in intensive care at a local hospital, as stated by the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled area.
Marwan al-Hamas, head of field hospitals in Gaza, confirmed the tragic news, stating that this raises the number of children who have died from severe cold to five in recent weeks.
“There is no electricity. The water is cold, and there is no gas, heating, or food,” lamented Yahya al-Batran, the child’s father.
“My children are dying before my eyes, and nobody seems to care. Jumaa has passed, and I fear for his brother Ali’s life,” he added.
Hostages held in Gaza reportedly faced torture, according to an Israeli report.
A new report from the Israeli health ministry, which will be presented to the United Nations this week, claims that hostages held in Gaza endured torture, including sexual and psychological abuse, starvation, burns, and medical neglect.
This report is based on interviews conducted with medical and welfare teams who treated over 100 Israeli and foreign hostages, the majority of whom were released during a brief truce between Israel and Hamas in late November 2023. Eight hostages were rescued by the Israeli military.
The hostages include over 30 children and teenagers, some of whom were discovered bound, beaten, or branded with hot objects, as indicated in the report submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and published late yesterday.
A woman walks by a wall covered with photos of hostages held in Gaza at a train station in Tel Aviv
Women reported instances of sexual assault by their captors, including such assaults taking place at gunpoint. Men reported severe beatings, starvation, branding, confinement in isolation, and being denied restroom access, according to the report. Several were reportedly denied care for injuries and ongoing medical conditions.
The report did not disclose any hostages’ names or ages to protect their identity, but some descriptions align with accounts from hostages and medical staff in interviews conducted with Reuters and other media, along with a UN report.
Hamas has consistently denied allegations of abuse against the 251 hostages abducted from Israel during its October 7, 2023, attack. Israeli authorities believe about half of the 100 hostages remaining in Gaza are still alive.
A renewed effort to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza that includes a hostage deal has gathered traction in recent weeks, although no significant progress has been reported so far.
The conflict began with Hamas’ attack in October 2023, during which 1,200 individuals were killed, primarily civilians, as reported by Israeli officials.
In retaliation, Israel’s campaign against Hamas has reportedly resulted in over 45,000 Palestinian deaths, mainly among civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities, displacing nearly the entire population of Gaza and reducing vast areas to ruins.
Israeli authorities are currently investigating claims of abuse involving Palestinian detainees apprehended during the conflict.
