Ethan Rhodes
Israel's attacks on hospitals in Gaza have been widely documented. A study by Harvard University researchers revealed that more than half of healthcare facilities in the Gaza Strip were damaged by Israeli attacks between October 7 and November 22, 2023. Israel's week-long incursion into Nasser Hospital, the largest in southern Gaza, resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians and left 2.3 million without access to basic necessities and medical care. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that as of May 22, 2025, 28 attacks on healthcare facilities had occurred in Gaza in the previous week, with 697 attacks since October 2023. Four major hospitals in Gaza have had to suspend medical services due to their proximity to hostilities, and only 19 of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip remain operational. Israel's actions have been condemned by various humanitarian groups, including the Red Cross, which stated that one of its facilities was damaged by shelling in June 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hospitals damaged or out of service | 26 in Gaza as of December 2023; 36 in Gaza as of May 2025 |
| Hospitals with suspended medical services | 4 in Gaza as of May 2025 |
| Hospitals with evacuation orders | 22 in northern Gaza as of October 2023 |
| Hospitals with nearby Israeli military presence | Nasser Hospital, Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, European Gaza Hospital |
| Hospitals with reported Israeli attacks | Nasser Hospital, Indonesian Hospital, Yemen Al-Saeed Hospital, Al-Awda Hospital, Qatar Hospital |
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What You'll Learn
Israeli attacks on Gaza hospitals
Israel's attacks on hospitals in Gaza have been widely reported and have had devastating consequences for the population. Hospitals in Gaza are facing severe shortages of medical supplies and fuel amid Israel's blockade. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other humanitarian groups have been struggling to save lives and provide essential medical care to the wounded.
There have been numerous reports of Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza, with the WHO documenting 427 attacks on healthcare in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by November 2023, resulting in 566 fatalities and 758 injuries. The attacks have continued, and by June 2024, the WHO had verified 906 attacks on healthcare in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon. The WHO reported that Israel has attacked 464 healthcare facilities, killed 727 healthcare workers, injured 933 healthcare workers, and damaged or destroyed 113 ambulances.
Specific incidents of Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza include the Israeli military's first major operation against a hospital, the Al Shifa Medical Complex, in November 2023. It raided the facility a second time in March 2024, leaving it in complete ruin by April 1st. During the period covered by a report released in January 2025, there were at least 136 strikes on at least 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities, causing significant casualties and damage.
Israel has been accused of committing war crimes and breaking medical neutrality, a war crime under the Geneva Conventions. A United Nations investigation concluded that Israel has committed genocidal acts in Gaza by systematically destroying reproductive healthcare facilities and imposing a siege that prevents necessary medications and care, causing irreversible harm to the reproductive prospects of Palestinians in Gaza.
The attacks on hospitals in Gaza have pushed the healthcare system to the brink of collapse, with catastrophic effects on Palestinians' access to health and medical care. Hospitals in Gaza are facing severe shortages of medical supplies and fuel, and medical personnel have been killed or prevented from reaching the wounded. As of February 2024, it was reported that "every hospital in Gaza is either damaged, destroyed, or out of service due to lack of fuel."
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The impact on Gaza's healthcare system
The impact of the Israel-Palestine conflict on Gaza's healthcare system has been devastating. Hospitals in Gaza have been facing severe shortages of medical supplies, food, water, fuel, and safe shelter amid Israel's blockade. Israel's intensified military operations have threatened an already weakened health system, with mass population displacement and acute shortages of essential resources.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that between October 7, 2023, and September 19, 2024, there were 492 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 198 Palestinian medical staff, 12 members of the Palestinian Civil Defense, and 103 UNRWA staff. As a result, 26 hospitals and 52 healthcare centers in Gaza were out of service, with 55 ambulances damaged.
In May 2025, WHO warned that the health system in Gaza was at a breaking point due to intensified hostilities. Four major hospitals, including Kamal Adwan Hospital and Indonesia Hospital, had to suspend medical services due to their proximity to conflict zones and attacks. Only 19 of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip remained operational, struggling with severe supply shortages, a lack of healthcare workers, and a surge of casualties.
Israel has been accused of committing genocidal acts by systematically destroying reproductive healthcare facilities and blocking necessary medications, causing irreversible harm to the reproductive prospects of Palestinians in Gaza. There have also been reports of Israeli attacks on specific hospitals, such as the Nasser Medical Complex, the largest functioning hospital in Gaza, and the Indonesian field hospital in Rafah.
The suffering and loss of life among Gazans have been immense, with over 55,000 killed, including 17,000 children. The conflict has left the population bereft of basic necessities, including food, clean water, and essential medical care. The ongoing attacks on hospitals and healthcare workers have severely impacted Gaza's ability to provide healthcare to its citizens, with hospitals struggling to treat the influx of trauma patients and facing shortages of critical medical supplies and fuel.
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Israeli military's claims and justifications
The Israeli military has been accused of targeting hospitals and medical personnel during its conflicts, particularly in the Gaza Strip. While the exact number of hospitals blown up is unclear, there are multiple reports of Israeli attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities, causing damage, disruption, and loss of life.
The Israeli military has offered several claims and justifications for their actions in the context of these allegations. One of their main arguments revolves around the assertion that Hamas and other militant groups misuse hospitals for military purposes. For instance, Israel has alleged that Hamas was using the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza to hide an underground command and control center and that they had deployed a rocket launchpad close to the hospital. These claims, however, have been contested by organizations like Human Rights Watch, who state that they have not found evidence to corroborate them.
The Israeli military has also claimed that they make extraordinary efforts to avoid civilian casualties and support hospital functioning. They argue that their operations are based on intelligence and that they do not intentionally target hospitals. However, these claims are contradicted by reports from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and testimonies from medical personnel on the ground.
Another justification provided by the Israeli military is the need to dismantle "terrorist infrastructure" and confiscate weapons. During the incursion into Nasser Hospital in Gaza, the Israeli military stated that an armored brigade was operating in the area to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and confiscate weapons. They also emphasized that the distribution of fuel to hospitals and humanitarian facilities in Gaza was not their responsibility.
It is important to note that under international humanitarian law, hospitals and ambulances are granted protected status. Even in cases of unlawful misuse of hospitals by militant groups, the attacking force is required to follow certain protocols, including issuing warnings, setting time limits, and ensuring the safety of patients and medical personnel. In the case of Israeli military operations in Gaza, there have been concerns about the proportionality of their response and the adequacy of evacuation orders and warnings.
The Israeli military's actions and justifications have led to widespread condemnation and calls for accountability. Organizations like Human Rights Watch, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations have highlighted the severe impact of Israeli operations on the healthcare system in Gaza, including the loss of life, displacement, and shortages of food, water, medical supplies, and fuel.
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The role of humanitarian groups
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in attacks on health facilities in Gaza, with Israel being accused of targeting hospitals and medical personnel. This has had devastating consequences for the population, with limited access to essential medical care, nourishment, safe drinking water, and sanitation infrastructure.
Humanitarian groups have played a crucial role in responding to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported on the attacks on healthcare facilities and the resulting impact on the availability of medical services. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have also been active in providing humanitarian assistance and protecting medical personnel and facilities.
UNICEF has been at the forefront of providing humanitarian assistance to children and their families in Gaza. They have provided safe drinking water, treatment for malnourished children, medical supplies, vaccines, and basic mental health services. UNICEF has also played a crucial role in sustaining and increasing water production in Gaza and advocating for the medical evacuation of sick and injured children.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is a more recent initiative backed by the United States and Israel, which aims to deliver humanitarian aid directly to Palestinian civilians while bypassing Hamas. However, the GHF has faced criticism from the United Nations and other aid groups, who accuse it of politicizing aid and failing to uphold humanitarian norms.
Other humanitarian organizations, such as Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International, have also been active in providing relief and advocating for independent humanitarian action in Gaza. These groups have faced challenges due to the ongoing conflict and restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
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International responses and media coverage
International responses to Israeli strikes on hospitals have been largely critical, with the United Nations Security Council debating the attacks and hearing calls for urgent international action to protect civilians and ensure accountability. The Security Council has called for independent investigations into the incidents and the alleged misuse of medical facilities by Hamas. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has described the situation as a "human rights catastrophe" and has emphasised the need for the protection of hospitals during warfare. The Representative of the Republic of Korea has expressed concern over the repeated attacks on Kamal Adwan Hospital, noting that the burning of the facility began while patients were still inside.
The Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine has emphasised the plight of Palestinian doctors and medical personnel, who have continued their mission at the peril of their lives. He has called for an end to the "genocide" and for the immediate release of detained medical personnel, such as Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. The representative of Egypt, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, has stated that there is no evidence supporting Israel's claims that hospitals in Gaza are being used for other purposes. He has called on the Council to compel Israel to implement its resolutions and the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice. The representative of the Russian Federation has accused Israeli troops of systematically and deliberately destroying the health system in Gaza, with the unconditional support of the United States.
Several other countries' representatives have also voiced their concerns and called for action. France, Denmark, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia have highlighted the situation of healthcare personnel in Gaza, with Slovenia emphasising Israel's legal responsibility as the occupying power to ensure the provision of medical services. Greece has stressed the crucial role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and called for open crossings to allow aid delivery. China has called on Israel to "stop turning hospitals into battlefields" and to seek political solutions rather than relying solely on military strength.
Media coverage of Israeli strikes on hospitals has varied, with some outlets such as The New York Times and CNN being accused of biased or erroneous reporting that frames stories against Israel. For example, in the case of an explosion at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in 2023, several news organisations, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, initially blamed Israel. However, subsequent reporting and intelligence revealed that the explosion was caused by a misfired rocket launched by Hamas ally Islamic Jihad. The New York Times later admitted that it "relied too heavily on claims by Hamas" without verification.
On the other hand, some media outlets have highlighted the impact of Israeli strikes on hospitals and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Human Rights Watch has reported on the repeated, unlawful attacks on medical facilities, personnel, and transport by the Israeli military, stating that these attacks further destroy the Gaza Strip's healthcare system and should be investigated as war crimes. They have also documented the closure of hospitals due to airstrikes and lack of fuel, as well as strikes damaging several hospitals across Gaza. Think Global Health has also reported on the Israeli campaign to undermine and delegitimize UN agencies and humanitarian agencies struggling to alleviate the worsening situation in Gaza. They have called for the resumption of funding of UNRWA and legitimate investigations to address the tragic trajectory in Gaza.
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Frequently asked questions
Israel has not blown up any hospitals, but it has committed genocidal acts in Gaza by systematically destroying reproductive healthcare facilities and causing irreversible harm to the reproductive prospects of Palestinians in Gaza. Four major hospitals in Gaza have had to suspend medical services due to their proximity to hostilities or evacuation zones.
Israel has targeted hospitals in Gaza, causing them to suspend medical services. They have fired missiles at hospitals, killed health workers, and prevented emergency teams from reaching the wounded. Israel has also caused hospitals to lose functionality by blocking necessary medications and supplies.
The hospitals affected by Israel include Nasser Hospital, the largest functioning hospital in Gaza, the Indonesian field hospital in Rafah, the Yemen Al-Saeed Hospital in Jabalia, the largest hospital in Deir al-Balah, Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and European Gaza Hospital.
