Tessa Quinn
Israel's bombing of hospitals in Gaza has raised concerns about potential war crimes and the degradation of access to healthcare in the region. The Israeli military has claimed that Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes, but these claims have been disputed. The bombings have resulted in significant casualties among medical professionals and civilians, with reports of torture and ill-treatment. The international community has largely condemned the attacks, with calls for an immediate ceasefire and protection for civilians, healthcare workers, and journalists. Israel has expressed regret for certain incidents, but investigations into potential war crimes allegations often lack accountability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the incident | 24 March 2024 |
| Hospital attacked | Al-Amal Hospital |
| Reason for attack | Israeli tanks attacked the hospital to target a Hamas base |
| Outcome | Hospital staff evacuated, hospital out of service |
| Casualties | A displaced person was shot in the head and killed |
| Other incidents | Al-Shifa Hospital was under siege and bombing during the war; Nasser Hospital was attacked twice in a "double tap" strike, killing at least 20 people, including journalists; Al Ahli Arab Hospital was bombed, resulting in a large number of fatalities and injuries among displaced Palestinians |
| International reactions | UK Foreign Minister David Lammy, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attacks |
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What You'll Learn
Israel claims Hamas used hospitals for military operations
Israel has been accused of attacking hospitals in Gaza, specifically the last functioning hospital in north Gaza, Kamal Adwan Hospital, and Nasser Hospital. Israel has defended its actions by claiming that Hamas has been using hospitals for military operations, storing weapons, and shielding combatants. Israel has also claimed that Hamas used hospitals to hold the bodies of Israeli hostages, which, if true, would be a war crime.
In response to the accusations, Israel has asserted that it is committed to ensuring the safety of patients and medical staff in hospitals and that its operations are conducted with careful management. Israel has also facilitated the evacuation of patients and provided supplies such as oxygen tanks, food, water, generators, and medical equipment.
However, the validity of Israel's claims about Hamas's misuse of hospitals has been questioned. The United Nations, the United States, and Egypt have called for independent investigations into the alleged misuse of hospitals by Hamas. While Hamas has denied the allegations, some sources suggest that there may be some truth to the claims. For example, the New York Times reported that Hamas did store weapons and used tunnels beneath hospitals, although it was unable to verify that hospitals were used as command centers.
The debate surrounding the issue is complex and involves considerations of international law, humanitarian concerns, and the challenging task of verifying information in a conflict zone. The situation in Gaza remains tense, and the impact of the hospital bombings has been devastating for the local population, with thousands of people displaced and limited access to essential medical care.
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International condemnation and calls for ceasefire
Israel's attacks on hospitals in Gaza have sparked widespread international condemnation and calls for a ceasefire. In March 2024, Israeli tanks attacked Al-Amal hospital, forcing its evacuation. An airstrike on the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital caused damage and was condemned by Turkey. Israel's week-long incursion into Nasser Hospital in February 2024 resulted in the displacement of thousands of people and was criticised by the Palestine Red Crescent. Israel has repeatedly targeted hospitals, claiming without evidence that they are used for military purposes by Hamas.
In August 2025, Israel bombed a hospital in southern Gaza, striking the same spot twice, killing at least 20 people, including five journalists and rescuers. This attack prompted international outrage, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy calling for an "immediate ceasefire" and the protection of civilians, healthcare workers, and journalists. French President Emmanuel Macron described the attack as "intolerable". Twenty-eight countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and Belgium, issued a joint statement condemning the "inhumane killing of civilians" and demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza.
The United Nations Security Council has also passed resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, and urging the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. China's delegate to the UN criticised the "war machine going at full throttle" and urged an immediate end to the violence. The conflict has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with Gaza's population of over 2 million Palestinians facing displacement, limited access to aid, and a lack of essential medical care.
While some have accused Hamas of prolonging the war and rejecting ceasefire proposals, others have called for accountability for Israel's actions and an end to its obstruction of humanitarian operations. The international community has expressed concern over the dire situation in Gaza and urged a diplomatic solution to bring about a lasting peace in the region.
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Israel rarely ensures accountability for war crimes
Israel's attack on hospitals in Gaza may constitute a war crime. In August 2025, Israel bombed the main hospital in southern Gaza and then struck the same spot again as rescuers and journalists rushed to help the wounded, killing at least 20 people, including five journalists. This "double-tap" strike prompted a wave of international condemnation.
Israel has a history of striking hospitals, claiming without evidence that Hamas uses them for military purposes. For instance, in February 2024, Israel conducted a week-long ground incursion into Nasser Hospital, the largest in southern Gaza, forcing thousands of displaced people sheltering in the compound to leave. Similarly, in March 2024, Israeli tanks attacked Al-Amal Hospital, forcing everyone inside to evacuate.
Israel's national emergency service reported that Hamas had killed three of its employees and injured four volunteers during the October 2023 attacks. However, Israel has also been accused of intentionally targeting paramedics and ambulance drivers, and torching and blowing up ambulances to prevent any attempt to save victims.
Israeli inquiries into misconduct by its military rarely ensure accountability. A report showed that 88% of investigations into war crimes allegations in Gaza were shut down or left unresolved. The global struggle to hold Israel accountable for war crimes in Gaza represents a critical test for international justice and the credibility of the institutions tasked with upholding international law.
In December 2023, DAWN submitted evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC), naming 40 Israeli commanders involved in attacks on civilians, starvation, and blocking aid. In October 2024, the Hind Rajab Foundation accused 1,000 Israeli soldiers of crimes in Gaza, relying on the soldiers' social media posts documenting their actions. These submissions represent a shift towards identifying perpetrators and seeking accountability for war crimes allegedly committed by Israel.
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Hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law
Israel's attacks on hospitals in Gaza have sparked widespread condemnation and accusations of war crimes. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and have left the population without access to essential medical care, food, clean water, and safety.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) clearly states that hospitals are protected during armed conflicts. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), health establishments, including hospitals, their staff, and patients, should not be attacked. This protection is based on the principle that hospitals serve a life-saving function for the wounded and sick. The wounded and sick, regardless of their affiliation, are entitled to respect, protection, search and collection, and care without distinction based on non-medical grounds.
Mathilde Philip-Gay, an expert in international humanitarian law, emphasizes that civilian hospitals are particularly protected under the Geneva Conventions, which form the core of IHL. It is forbidden to turn civilian hospitals into conflict zones or to use the civilian population, the sick, or the injured as human shields. Article 8 of the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC), includes "intentionally directing attacks against hospitals" in its list of war crimes.
However, the protection of hospitals under IHL is not absolute. In rare cases, hospitals can lose their protected status if they are used by a party to the conflict to commit "acts harmful to the enemy" outside their humanitarian functions. Even in such cases, the attacker must first establish that the hospital has indeed lost its protective status, and the burden of proof lies with the attacker.
Despite Israel's claims that Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes, independent investigations by major news outlets have found these claims unconvincing. The repeated attacks on hospitals in Gaza by Israel, resulting in significant civilian casualties and the disruption of essential medical services, raise serious concerns about potential violations of International Humanitarian Law.
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The impact on Gaza's healthcare system and access
The Israeli military's attacks on hospitals in Gaza have had a devastating impact on the healthcare system and access to medical care for the Palestinian population. The bombing of hospitals and medical facilities has resulted in the destruction of infrastructure, equipment, and supplies, as well as the loss of medical personnel.
By April 2024, the Ministry of Health of the State of Palestine reported that 77,704 Palestinians had been injured in the conflict. Many of these individuals faced challenges in accessing timely and adequate medical treatment, with reports of people dying while waiting for hospitalization or care. The conflict has also taken a heavy toll on healthcare workers, with over 500 medical professionals killed in Gaza since October 2023.
The destruction of hospitals and medical facilities has compounded the challenges in accessing healthcare in Gaza. In April 2025, an Israeli airstrike destroyed part of the last fully functional hospital in Gaza City, Al Ahli Arab Hospital. This hospital was already overwhelmed with patients from other parts of Gaza, where medical facilities had been damaged or destroyed. The bombing forced the displacement of patients and medical staff, further reducing the capacity to provide care.
The impact of the attacks extends beyond physical infrastructure. The constant threat of violence and insecurity has disrupted the ability of healthcare workers to safely deliver services and has likely deterred civilians from seeking medical attention when needed. The targeting of hospitals and medical personnel has also led to a breakdown in trust and confidence in the healthcare system, further exacerbating the challenges in accessing care.
The attacks on hospitals in Gaza have resulted in widespread international condemnation, with calls for an immediate ceasefire and protection for civilians, healthcare workers, and journalists. The international community has also emphasized the urgency of restoring and rebuilding Gaza's medical capacity to ensure access to healthcare for the Palestinian population.
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Frequently asked questions
Israel has claimed that Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes, as a base, and to store weapons. However, no evidence has been provided to support these claims.
The bombings have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including medical professionals, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Many of those injured in the bombings have died while waiting for treatment.
The international community has largely condemned the bombings. The UK Foreign Minister, US President, French President, UN Secretary-General, and UN Human Rights Chief have all expressed horror and called for immediate ceasefires and improved access to healthcare for Palestinians.
