The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) has strongly condemned Israel’s actions against Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, which was set ablaze and rendered non-operational following a military siege on December 27. The assault led to forced evacuations, the arrest of medical staff, and the destruction of vital healthcare infrastructure.
According to ICHR reports, Israeli forces targeted the hospital with artillery fire, compelling patients and staff to evacuate. Some critically ill patients were transferred to the Indonesian Hospital, which was already out of service, while others were subjected to interrogations. The hospital was subsequently set on fire, causing extensive damage to its equipment and facilities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned the attack, calling it part of a larger effort to dismantle Gaza’s healthcare system, condemning tens of thousands of Palestinians to suffering and death. The destruction of Kamal Adwan Hospital, alongside the ongoing damage to other medical facilities in the region, has severely crippled Gaza’s already strained healthcare system.
ICHR called the attack a breach of international law, labeling it as a war crime under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The commission also urged immediate international action, including prosecution of Israeli leaders and a UN resolution to safeguard Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.
The destruction of the hospital has added to the toll of violence in Gaza, where over 45,500 people have died since October 7, 2023, with the region left in ruins. The ICHR’s statement underscores the devastating impact of these actions on the Palestinian civilian population.
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