North Gaza Hospital Evacuated: Israeli Order

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North Gaza‘s Last Hospital, Al-Awda, Forced to Evacuate Amid Escalating Conflict

The Al-Awda Hospital, the final healthcare provider in North Gaza, has ceased operations after the Israeli military mandated its immediate evacuation. According To Hospital Director, Dr. Mohammed Salha, the evacuation occurred Thursday evening in Jabalia, leaving the region without any operational health facilities.

Dr. salha expressed deep concern, stating the forced evacuation followed “two weeks of siege.” The Bbc Has Reached Out To The Israeli Defense Forces (Idf) for comment,but has not yet received a response.

Forced Evacuation: A Dire Situation

Speaking to The Bbc, Dr. Salha explained the arduous circumstances leading to the evacuation. “The Israeli Occupation Forces threatened us that if we didn’t evacuate, they would enter and kill whoever is inside, or they would bomb the hospital,” he recounted. “We Were Thinking Of The Lives Of Patients And Our Staff.”

Dr.Salha further noted the hospital endured important bombardment and tank fire starting around noon local time (09:00 Gmt) on Thursday. After Hours Of Negotiations, the evacuation was completed around 20:30, wiht staff transporting patients over 300 meters to awaiting ambulances amid destroyed roads.

Did You Know? prior to its closure, Al-Awda Hospital had already been struck at least 28 times since October 2023, according to a statement from 18 charities.

Impact and Aftermath

The World Health Organization (Who) has confirmed that due to impassable roads, essential medical equipment could not be moved from Al-Awda. The Un Humanitarian Agency Ocha reported that ongoing hostilities in the past two weeks had damaged the hospital and deterred people from seeking care.

Patients have been relocated to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, and Dr. Salha indicated that healthcare services would be provided through a primary health center in Gaza City, with potential plans to establish another in a shelter.

The Director-General Of the Who, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that Al-Awda’s closure represents the severing of a critical lifeline for the people in North Gaza. He Pleaded For The Hospital’s Protection And Reiterated Calls For The Active Protection Of Civilians and Healthcare Facilities.

IDF’s Perspective and Actions

Prior To The Evacuation, Idf Spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced evacuations for several areas, including Al-Atatra, Jabalia Al-Balad, Shujaiya, Al-Daraj, and Al-Zeitoun, citing ongoing “subversive activity” by terrorist organizations.

“From This Moment On, The Mentioned Areas Will be Considered Hazardous combat,” Adraee stated. While Al-Awda Hospital was within a previously announced evacuation zone,it had continued to operate until the recent mandatory evacuation.

Pro Tip: Staying Informed: Follow updates from reputable international organizations like WHO and OCHA for the most accurate information on the evolving humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Broader Context: Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The Evacuation Of Al-Awda Occurs Amidst Continued Israeli Bomb

Given the Israeli military’s order to evacuate North Gaza hospitals, what are the potential long-term consequences for the healthcare infrastructure in Gaza, considering the pre-existing limitations and the ongoing conflict?

North Gaza hospital Evacuated: Israeli Order & Escalating Crisis

The Evacuation Order & Affected Hospitals

On November 11, 2023, the Israeli military issued an order for the immediate evacuation of all patients, medical staff, and displaced civilians from hospitals in North Gaza, including the Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip. This directive followed weeks of intense military operations in the region, part of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The stated reason for the evacuation is the alleged use of hospital facilities by Hamas as command centers and for military purposes – claims vehemently denied by Hamas officials. The order has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, raising meaningful concerns about the safety and well-being of thousands of vulnerable individuals.

Hospitals Directly Impacted

While Al-Shifa has received the most international attention, several other healthcare facilities in North Gaza where also subject to the evacuation order. These include:

Hospital name	Estimated Patient Count (Pre-Evacuation)	Key Concerns
Al-Shifa hospital	2,300 – 2,500 (Patients, Staff, Displaced)	premature babies, ICU patients, lack of fuel for generators.
Al-Nasr Hospital	300+	Limited medical supplies, ongoing shelling.
Al-Rimal Clinical Complex	200+	Damage to infrastructure,difficulty evacuating critically ill.
Bahadur Hospital	150+	Overcrowding, lack of essential medications.

Challenges of Evacuation & Patient Safety

The evacuation process has been fraught with difficulties and poses extreme risks to patients. Many individuals are critically ill, injured, or require life-sustaining medical care that cannot be easily interrupted. The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that forcibly moving critically ill patients is a violation of international humanitarian law and can lead to preventable deaths. key challenges include:

• Lack of Safe Passage: Evacuation routes are often located in active combat zones, exposing patients and medical personnel to danger.
• Limited transportation: There is a severe shortage of ambulances and other vehicles capable of safely transporting patients, notably those requiring specialized care.
• Overwhelmed Southern Hospitals: Hospitals in Southern Gaza are already operating at maximum capacity and lack the resources to accommodate the influx of patients from the North.
• Fuel Shortages: The ongoing blockade of Gaza has resulted in critical shortages of fuel, essential for powering hospital generators and medical equipment.

Allegations of Hamas Military Use & Israeli justification

The Israeli military alleges that Hamas has been using hospitals in Gaza, particularly Al-Shifa, as command centers, weapons storage facilities, and shelters for fighters. They have presented evidence, including intercepted communications and tunnel entrances discovered beneath hospitals, to support these claims. Hamas denies these allegations, accusing Israel of using them as a pretext for attacking civilian infrastructure.International observers have called for an autonomous examination to verify the claims made by both sides.The United nations Security Council has discussed the situation extensively, but a consensus on a resolution has been difficult to achieve.

International Response & Humanitarian Aid

The international community has expressed deep concern over the evacuation order and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Numerous countries and organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), have called for the protection of civilians and medical facilities. Efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza have been hampered by the ongoing conflict and restrictions on access. The need for medical supplies, food, water, and shelter is acute. Organizations like UNRWA are working to provide assistance to displaced Palestinians, but their resources are stretched thin.

Current Status & Ongoing Developments (November 16, 2023)

As of November 16, 2023, reports indicate that a significant number of patients have been evacuated from Al-Shifa Hospital, though hundreds remain. The evacuation process has been chaotic and dangerous, with reports of patients dying during transport. The Israeli military continues to operate in North Gaza,and the situation remains highly volatile. The focus is now on providing care for those who have been evacuated and ensuring the safety of those who remain in the affected hospitals. The long-term impact of the hospital evacuations on the healthcare system in Gaza is expected to be severe. Monitoring the latest news from reputable sources is crucial to understanding the evolving situation.