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UN Pleads for Protection as Israeli Forces Order Hospital Evacuations in Gaza
Israeli forces order the evacuation of Indonesian and al-Awda hospitals in northern Gaza, sparking global outrage. UN officials call for an independent investigation into attacks on Gaza’s healthcare facilities.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-04
UN Pleads for Protection as Israeli Forces Order Hospital Evacuations in Gaza

Israeli forces have ordered the immediate evacuation of two critical hospitals in northern Gaza, the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahiya and al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia, under the threat of attack. The United Nations has strongly criticized the move and called for an end to what it describes as systematic targeting of healthcare facilities in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Both hospitals, which have provided refuge for displaced Palestinians, were surrounded by Israeli forces on Friday. The UN, humanitarian organizations, and health officials have warned of the catastrophic consequences of the forced evacuations, particularly for critically ill patients dependent on medical equipment.

Healthcare System in Crisis
Repeated Israeli attacks since October 2023 have left Gaza’s healthcare system on the brink of collapse. The destruction of Kamal Adwan Hospital last week forced many patients to seek treatment at the now-targeted Indonesian and al-Awda Hospitals.

“We are talking about people in very critical condition. They need to be attached to medical equipment, and some have sustained severe injuries,” Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reported.

The situation has been exacerbated by a lack of essential supplies, with hospitals running out of food, water, and medicine amid the ongoing blockade.

Israel Defends Actions
Israeli authorities have justified their operations by alleging that Palestinian armed groups are using hospitals for military purposes. In a letter to the UN and the World Health Organization (WHO), Israel’s UN ambassador in Geneva, Daniel Meron, claimed the destruction of Kamal Adwan Hospital was based on “irrefutable evidence” of militant activity.

However, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk challenged the credibility of these claims, describing them as “often vague and broad” and, in some cases, contradictory to publicly available information. Turk called for an independent investigation into all attacks on Gaza’s healthcare facilities.

International Outcry
The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Friday to address the escalating attacks on medical facilities. WHO representative Rik Peeperkorn urged Israel to rescind its evacuation orders, emphasizing the dire state of hospitals in Gaza.

“We are deeply concerned about the fate of the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, who was arrested by Israeli forces last week. We have lost contact with him since,” Peeperkorn said.

Denmark’s ambassador to the UN, Christina Markus Lassen, echoed these concerns, warning of a “systematic targeting” of Gaza’s healthcare system.

Rising Casualties
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes across Gaza have intensified. At least 28 Palestinians were killed on Saturday, including 11 members of a single family in the Shujayea neighborhood of Gaza City. A drone attack on a convoy of security personnel transporting humanitarian aid also left five dead.

Since October 7, 2023, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 45,717 Palestinians, with more than 108,856 injured. On the Israeli side, 1,139 people were killed in Hamas-led attacks, and about 250 others remain captive.

Call for Humanitarian Action
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, global leaders and activists are urging immediate measures to protect civilians and ensure the safe operation of medical facilities. The international community continues to demand accountability and a cessation of hostilities to prevent further loss of life.

 
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