Jordan Ellis
Hospitals in Palestine have been the target of numerous attacks during the ongoing conflict with Israel. Since the war began in October 2023, there have been nearly 600 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza and the West Bank, with 26 hospitals damaged out of 36 in the Gaza Strip alone. The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly condemned Israel's actions, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of patients and medical professionals, displacement of patients, and destruction of critical supplies and infrastructure. The impact of these attacks extends beyond physical structures, as women and children, who make up around half of the casualties, are left particularly vulnerable.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Israeli forces targeted paramedics and medical staff
Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas War, there have been numerous reports of Israeli forces targeting paramedics and medical staff in Palestine. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there have been nearly 600 attacks on healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank since the war began. This includes attacks on 94 healthcare facilities, 26 hospitals, and 79 ambulances in Gaza, and 24 health facilities and 212 ambulances in the West Bank.
In March 2025, Israeli forces shot and killed 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers, including at least one UN employee, in Rafah. The Israeli military initially claimed that six of the people killed were members of militant groups, but this was disputed by the Palestinian Red Crescent and a ninth paramedic who survived the attack. Audio and video evidence suggest that Israeli forces fired from very close range, with over 100 shots fired from multiple firearms.
The Red Crescent reported that Israeli soldiers killed 12 people at a hospital in al-Amal on 1 February 2024, and another four people the following day. They also reported that Israeli forces fired on one of their ambulances in Al-Mawasi in late July 2024 while medics were assisting injured civilians. In October 2024, Israeli tanks shelled Kamal Adwan hospital, targeting the second and third floors.
The targeting of paramedics and medical staff by Israeli forces has resulted in the deaths of medical professionals and the destruction of vital medical infrastructure in Palestine. These attacks have been widely condemned by organizations such as the WHO and the United Nations.
Hospitals' Stance on Employee Nicotine Use: Exploring the Policy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hospitals in Gaza and the West Bank attacked nearly 600 times
Hospitals and other vital medical infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank have been attacked nearly 600 times since the war erupted in the region. The conflict was sparked by a Hamas-led terror attack in southern Israel. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 304 attacks in the Gaza Strip since 7 October, affecting 94 healthcare facilities, including 26 hospitals damaged out of 36, and 79 ambulances. In the West Bank, 286 attacks have caused seven deaths and 52 injuries, impacting 24 health facilities and 212 ambulances.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 1.9 million people displaced across the Gaza Strip, some multiple times. This represents over 85% of the population, with families forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. The lack of food and water, coupled with the rise in preventable diseases, poses a deadly threat to children in the region. The head of the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, Catherine Russell, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that children in Gaza are "caught in a nightmare that worsens with each passing day."
The attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities have had devastating consequences. Since 7 October, 613 people have died within health facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with 606 in Gaza and seven in the West Bank. More than 770 people have been injured. The Gaza European Hospital was bombed, killing Hamas leader Muhammed Sinwar and his companions. Israeli forces have also targeted paramedics and medical staff, with the Palestinian Red Crescent reporting repeated raids and direct fire on hospitals.
The conflict has disrupted the delivery of essential aid, with aid workers facing constant bombardments and even being killed. The World Health Organization has strongly condemned Israel's repeated orders to evacuate al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, deeming it a death sentence for the sick and wounded. The Jordan Field Hospital in Gaza, operating since 2009, has also been badly affected by the conflict, facing an existential threat due to a lack of supplies.
The attacks on hospitals and healthcare infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank have caused widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life. The ongoing violence and attacks on healthcare have pushed the region to a breaking point, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and putting civilians, especially children, at severe risk.
Home vs Hospital Births: A Comparison
You may want to see also
Israeli military's first major operation against a hospital
The Israeli military's first major operation against a hospital involved Al Shifa Medical Complex in November 2023. The Israeli military raided the facility a second time in March 2024, leaving it in complete ruin by 1 April. After the Israeli military's withdrawal, three mass graves were found at the hospital, with at least 80 bodies retrieved. This incident raised serious concerns about Israel's compliance with international law and whether war crimes had been committed.
The Al Shifa Medical Complex raid was part of a broader pattern of Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza, with the UN Human Rights Office documenting Israeli military operations against hospitals between 7 October 2023 and 30 June 2024. These attacks pushed the healthcare system to the brink of collapse, severely impacting Palestinians' access to healthcare. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that hospitals and other medical infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank had been attacked nearly 600 times since the war began.
One notable example of Israeli attacks on hospitals is the siege of Nasser Hospital, the largest hospital in southern Gaza. In February 2024, Israeli forces besieged the hospital for a week before forcing thousands of displaced people to evacuate while they assaulted the facility. Israeli spokespeople claimed that Hamas used the hospital for military operations and to hold Israeli hostages, which, if true, would be war crimes. However, Israel's account was met with skepticism and accused of obfuscation.
Another incident involved the Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza, where Israeli military attacks left the region with almost no access to adequate healthcare. Staff and patients were forced to flee or were taken into custody, with reports of torture and ill-treatment. The director of the hospital was among those taken into custody, and his fate remains unknown.
The repeated targeting of hospitals by the Israeli military has resulted in the destruction of medical infrastructure, disruption of aid operations, and a severe impact on the health and well-being of the Palestinian population. These attacks have been widely condemned by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN migration agency IOM, and human rights groups.
Preventing MRSA Infections: Hospitals' Strategies to Combat Superbugs
You may want to see also
Israeli forces fired on ambulances
Since the war in Gaza began, hospitals and other vital medical infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank have been attacked almost 600 times. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 613 people have died within health facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with over 770 injured.
Israeli forces have fired on ambulances and paramedics on multiple occasions. In March 2025, Israeli forces killed 15 emergency workers in a convoy of ambulances near Rafah. A video of the incident contradicted the Israeli military's account of the event, showing that the vehicles were clearly marked and that the paramedics wore reflective uniforms. The Red Crescent reported that Israeli soldiers opened fire as they stormed al-Amal hospital in February 2024, killing 12 people and wounding six. They also stated that Israeli forces fired on one of its ambulances in Al-Mawasi in July 2024 while medics were assisting injured civilians.
The repeated attacks on health facilities, ambulances, and paramedics by the Israeli military have been described as unlawful and must be investigated as war crimes, according to Amnesty International. The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, called for "justice and answers" after Israeli forces killed eight Palestinian medics, six civil defence first responders, and a UN staff member in southern Gaza.
The targeting of ambulances and paramedics has had severe consequences for the delivery of humanitarian aid and medical care in the region. The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly condemned Israel's repeated orders to evacuate al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, stating that it poses a death sentence for the sick and wounded. The siege of al-Amal hospital by Israeli forces in February 2024 also resulted in the killing and wounding of several people.
The attacks on ambulances and paramedics by Israeli forces have been widely condemned, with calls for justice and investigations into these incidents as war crimes. These actions have further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region, hindering the ability of aid workers and medical professionals to provide essential services and support to those in need.
Rochester's University Medical Center: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Israeli blockade and military offensive
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip has restricted the flow of essential goods, causing a severe hunger crisis, malnutrition, and imminent famine. The blockade has also contributed to economic hardship and limited the freedom of movement of Palestinians.
In early March, Israel imposed a complete 2.5-month blockade, barring the entry of all food, medicine, fuel, and other goods. This blockade, coupled with Israel's military offensive, has had devastating consequences for the people of Gaza. Israel's offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, including hospitals and children's hospitals, displacing around 90% of the population.
Hospitals and other medical facilities have not been spared from the violence. Since the war began, there have been nearly 600 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza and the West Bank, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries, with 613 people dying within health facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics in Gaza, for example, reported heavy damage from Israeli bombardment in 2021 and again on May 20, 2025. The Jordan Field Hospital in Gaza, operating since 2009, faced an existential threat due to a lack of supplies during the Israeli bombardment.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported repeated raids and direct fire on al-Amal Hospital, resulting in the deaths of 12 people and injuries to six others. Israeli forces have also targeted ambulances, with the Red Crescent reporting that its ambulances were fired upon while attempting to transport oxygen and assist injured civilians.
The United Nations and human rights groups have condemned Israel's actions, with a UN investigation concluding that Israel has committed genocidal acts by systematically destroying reproductive healthcare facilities and imposing a siege that prevents necessary medications. Israel's blockade and military offensive have caused irreversible harm to the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the international community has been urged to respond to the rising humanitarian needs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
San Diego's Hospitals: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been nearly 600 attacks on healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank since the war began. 26 hospitals have been damaged out of 36.
The Kamal Adwan hospital in North Gaza was attacked by the Israeli military, leaving the population with almost no access to healthcare.
The director of the hospital was taken into custody, and his fate and whereabouts are unknown. Medical staff were reportedly tortured and ill-treated.
The Al Shifa Medical Complex was raided by the Israeli military in November 2023 and again in March 2024, leaving it in complete ruin by April 1st.
In March 2025, Israel bombed the Gaza European Hospital, killing Hamas leader Muhammed Sinwar and his companions.
