Claire Dawson
The Israeli military's repeated attacks on hospitals in Gaza have raised grave concerns among human rights organisations and the international community. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including medical professionals, and have severely impacted the healthcare system in Gaza, leaving many without access to essential medical care. While Israel has justified its actions by claiming that Hamas uses hospitals for military operations and to hold hostages, human rights organisations have condemned the attacks as potential war crimes and blatant disregard for international humanitarian law. The destruction of hospitals and the targeting of medical personnel have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with limited access to food, water, and medical services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 7 October 2023 - 30 June 2024 |
| Hospitals attacked | Nasser Hospital, Al Shifa Medical Complex, Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Kamal Adwan Hospital, Al Awda Hospital, Al Ahli Arab Hospital, Al-Amal Hospital, Jordan Field Hospital, Al Ahli Arab Hospital, Al-Shifa Hospital, Indonesian Hospital |
| Number of strikes | 136 strikes on at least 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities |
| Number of casualties | 11,000 people killed, including 4,500 children; 1.5 million people displaced; 500 medical professionals killed; 77,704 Palestinians injured |
| Weapons used | Heavy weapons, air-dropped munitions, tanks, snipers |
| Impact | Destruction of healthcare system, killing of patients and staff, limited access to healthcare, psychological trauma |
| Israeli justification | Claims that hospitals were used by Hamas for military operations, storage of weapons, and holding hostages |
| International response | UN, WHO, IRC, and other organizations have condemned the attacks and called for protection of healthcare facilities and personnel |
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What You'll Learn
- Israel's attacks on Gaza hospitals have raised grave concerns about war crimes and the violation of international humanitarian law
- Israeli airstrikes, bombing, and ground-level fighting have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and the destruction of critical infrastructure, including hospitals
- Hospitals in Gaza have faced existential threats due to a lack of supplies and staff, with reports of torture and ill-treatment
- The Israeli military has repeatedly targeted medical facilities, personnel, and transport, further degrading access to healthcare in Gaza
- The Israeli government's blockade of Gaza has prevented civilians' access to essential items like water, food, and medicine, amounting to collective punishment
Israel's attacks on Gaza hospitals have raised grave concerns about war crimes and the violation of international humanitarian law
Israel's attacks on hospitals in Gaza have raised grave concerns about war crimes and the violation of international humanitarian law. The Israeli military's repeated targeting of medical facilities, personnel, and transport has severely impacted the already fragile healthcare system in the region, resulting in avoidable deaths and injuries.
One notable incident occurred in February 2024, when Israeli ground troops launched a week-long siege and shelling of Nasser Hospital, forcing the evacuation of thousands of displaced people seeking refuge in the compound. While Israeli spokespeople justified the operation by claiming that Hamas used the hospital for military operations and hostage-holding, such actions could still constitute war crimes.
In another incident, the Israeli military bombed the Gaza European Hospital, killing Hamas leader Muhammed Sinwar and his companions. While sources confirmed the presence of a tunnel system, the attack damaged the cancer treatment center, injuring staff members and depriving patients of critical care.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly condemned Israel's repeated orders to evacuate hospitals in Gaza, calling them a "death sentence" for vulnerable patients. The WHO also reported that, as of November 12, 2023, at least 521 people, including 16 medical workers, had been killed in 137 "attacks on health care."
The Israeli military's actions have resulted in the destruction of medical infrastructure, equipment shortages, and the inability of medical personnel to adequately treat patients. This has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with limited access to food, water, and essential medical services. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has emphasized the urgency of upholding international humanitarian law, protecting civilians and critical infrastructure, and scaling up humanitarian aid delivery.
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Israeli airstrikes, bombing, and ground-level fighting have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and the destruction of critical infrastructure, including hospitals
The Israeli military's attacks on hospitals in Gaza have raised serious concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Reports indicate that the Israeli military has targeted hospitals, resulting in significant casualties among medical professionals and civilians. For instance, the Kamal Adwan hospital in North Gaza was attacked, leaving the local population with limited access to healthcare.
During the period covered by one report, there were at least 136 strikes on at least 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities. These attacks have caused a collapse in the healthcare system, with hospitals struggling to provide timely and adequate treatment to those injured in the conflict. The Al Shifa Medical Complex, for example, was raided twice, leaving it in ruins by April 1, 2024.
Israel has defended its actions, claiming that operations were conducted with careful management of hospitals and ensuring no harm to patients and staff. However, these claims have been disputed, with reports of Israel obstructing humanitarian aid and denying access to humanitarian organizations. The destruction of hospitals and the disruption of medical services have had devastating consequences for the health and well-being of the Palestinian population in Gaza.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has emphasized the urgency of protecting civilians and critical infrastructure, calling on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and scale up the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The conflict has resulted in the displacement of 1.9 million Palestinians, with families seeking refuge in tents or makeshift shelters. The psychological trauma of constant displacement, loss of loved ones, and disrupted education will have lasting impacts, particularly on children.
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Hospitals in Gaza have faced existential threats due to a lack of supplies and staff, with reports of torture and ill-treatment
Hospitals in Gaza have been under threat due to Israeli military attacks, which have resulted in the death and injury of patients and staff, as well as the destruction of infrastructure and medical supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded 28 attacks on healthcare in Gaza during a recent period of intensified military operations, with 697 attacks recorded since October 2023. This has left only 19 of the Gaza Strip's 36 hospitals operational, struggling with severe supply shortages, a lack of health workers, persistent insecurity, and a surge of casualties. The Israeli military's raid on the Al Shifa Medical Complex in November 2023, and subsequent withdrawal, left the hospital in complete ruin by April 2024. Three mass graves were found at the hospital, with at least 80 corpses, raising concerns about potential war crimes.
The Israeli military has also been accused of targeting people inside hospitals. The UN Human Rights Office verified multiple cases of people being shot dead at Al Awda Hospital in Jabalya, including a volunteer nurse fatally shot while looking out of a window. The Israeli narrative, however, maintains that they ensure the protection of patients and medical staff during their incursions, claiming that their operations are conducted with careful management of hospitals.
The detention of hundreds of medical staff by Israeli forces has further exacerbated the crisis in Gaza's healthcare system. More than 160 Gazan medics have been held in Israeli prisons, with reports of torture, beatings, starvation, and inhumane treatment. The UN's human rights office has called for the immediate release of medical staff, stating that the detentions have contributed to the collapse of the healthcare system, denying injured and sick patients access to essential medical care.
The combination of attacks on hospitals, the detention of medical staff, and the resulting shortages in supplies and personnel, have created a dire situation for Gaza's healthcare system, threatening its very existence. The restoration of facilities and the release of detained medical personnel are crucial steps towards ensuring the right to health care for the people of Gaza.
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The Israeli military has repeatedly targeted medical facilities, personnel, and transport, further degrading access to healthcare in Gaza
The Israeli military has been accused of repeatedly targeting medical facilities, personnel, and transport in Gaza, resulting in further degradation of the already limited access to healthcare in the region. This pattern of attacks has raised serious concerns among human rights organizations and the international community.
One notable incident occurred in February 2024, when Israeli ground troops carried out a week-long siege and shelling of Nasser Hospital, forcing thousands of displaced people seeking refuge in the compound to evacuate. While Israeli spokespeople claimed that the operation was conducted to address Hamas' alleged use of the hospital for military operations, the assault disrupted healthcare services and caused displacement.
In March 2024, the Palestine Red Crescent reported that Israeli tanks attacked Al-Amal Hospital, forcing its staff and patients to evacuate. The hospital was left completely out of service, impacting the availability of medical care in the area. Additionally, the Israeli military has been accused of repeatedly ordering the evacuation of al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, endangering the lives of sick and wounded patients.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other humanitarian organizations have strongly condemned these actions, highlighting the impact on vulnerable patients and the destruction of healthcare infrastructure. The Israeli military's actions have resulted in the death and injury of medical professionals, patients, and civilians, further degrading access to healthcare in Gaza.
The repeated targeting of medical facilities and personnel by the Israeli military is considered a violation of international humanitarian law and has been described as a war crime by human rights organizations. These attacks have not only resulted in the loss of life but have also exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where access to food, water, and medical care is already severely limited due to the conflict.
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The Israeli government's blockade of Gaza has prevented civilians' access to essential items like water, food, and medicine, amounting to collective punishment
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been an ongoing issue for decades, with both sides suffering losses. The Israeli government's blockade of Gaza has been criticised for preventing civilians' access to essential items such as water, food, and medicine, which has been deemed collective punishment.
The blockade has had severe humanitarian consequences, with over two million Palestinians lacking sufficient water, food, and medical care. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the shortage of essential medicines and equipment has been a significant obstacle to providing adequate healthcare in Gaza. Even before the conflict, Gazan hospitals faced shortages of medical supplies, with workers reporting the need to sterilise and reuse single-use equipment. The Israeli blockade has only exacerbated this issue, with limited humanitarian aid allowed into the region.
The restrictions on movement have also impacted the economy, with Palestinian workers unable to cross the border into Israel for employment. This has resulted in widespread unemployment and food insecurity. In 2025, the Israeli authorities announced a plan to deliver food and essential items to Gaza, but it was deemed insufficient to meet the needs of the population. The risk of famine is increasing, with nearly half a million people facing hunger, acute malnutrition, and starvation.
The blockade has also impacted the delivery of life-saving medical supplies, with organisations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) struggling to deliver aid to those in need. The constant displacement, loss of family members, and disrupted education have had profound psychological impacts, particularly on children. The healthcare system in Gaza has been left in ruins, with hospitals understaffed and overwhelmed with patients. The destruction of civilian infrastructure has further exacerbated the issue, leaving civilians without access to basic care.
The Israeli government has defended its actions, stating that the blockade is necessary to prevent arms smuggling and ensure the safety of its citizens. However, human rights organisations have criticised the blockade as collective punishment, violating international law. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 60,000 Palestinians and the injury of more than 145,000 since October 2023, with the situation continuing to deteriorate.
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Frequently asked questions
Israel has defended its attacks on hospitals in Gaza, claiming that Hamas has been using hospitals for military operations, to store weapons, and to hold hostages. However, these claims have been largely discredited and are not supported by evidence.
The attacks have severely impacted the healthcare system in Gaza, causing the death of patients, staff, and civilians, and leaving the population with limited or no access to healthcare.
The attacks have been widely condemned by international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Human Rights Watch, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The WHO has called for an end to the attacks, stating that hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law.
The attacks on hospitals have worsened the already severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with limited access to food, water, and medical care. The IRC and other aid organizations have faced challenges in delivering humanitarian aid due to Israel's blockade of Gaza.
There have been calls for an immediate investigation into the attacks as potential war crimes and for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law. It is crucial to prioritize the restoration of medical capacity and ensure access to adequate healthcare for the Palestinian population in Gaza.
