North Gaza’s last functioning hospital forced out of service by Israeli army – leaving the sick and injured without a lifeline
“We are appalled that the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza – Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia, run by ActionAid’s partner Al-Awda — has been forced out of operation after the Israeli military ordered everyone inside the facility, including critically sick and injured patients, to evacuate. This spells utter disaster for Palestinians including pregnant women in the north of the strip who now have nowhere to turn to receive medical care. For many of them, it will be a death sentence. Staff told ActionAid they were not allowed to take any medical equipment or supplies with them, and they now fear the Israeli military will destroy the hospital and everything left inside.
“For more than 600 days, the outstandingly brave medical staff at Al-Awda have continued their life-saving work despite repeatedly coming under siege, and despite the facility being struck more than 20 times. The fact that the hospital now stands empty shows how profoundly the international community has let them down, by allowing the Israeli army to continue to systematically wipe out Gaza’s healthcare system with impunity. There must be a stop to these atrocities: we demand states take tangible action now to secure a permanent end to the war, immediately.”
In a statement shared with ActionAid, Dr Mohammed Salha, acting director of Al-Awda Hospital, said: “Israeli occupation forces issued a direct warning: evacuate the hospital immediately, or they would bomb it—killing everyone inside.
“The wounded and patients were carried by Al-Awda staff for over 200 meters, because all surrounding streets near Al-Awda Hospital were entirely blockaded.”
[ENDS]
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Stephanie Wulf, Senior Communications Manager, ActionAid Australia
About ActionAid
ActionAid is a global women’s rights organisation, working with women on the frontlines of injustice – including the climate crisis, conflicts, and humanitarian emergencies. Our dedicated local staff work with more than 41 million people living in 71 countries, supporting women to transform their lives and their communities.