Israel detains director of one of last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza, Palestinians say
Associated PressDEC 2024
Israel Detains Gaza Hospital Director in Controversial Raid
Above: Wounded Palestinians receive medical attention at the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City after patients were transported from the Kamal Adwan Hospital on Dec. 28, 2024. Image copyright: Omar Al-Qattaa/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
The hospital was being used as a hideout by Hamas terrorists, necessitating military intervention to prevent its exploitation. However, the IDF securely evacuated civilians, patients, and medical personnel and provided medical supplies before initiating the attack on Kamal Adwan and arresting suspected militants. Israel must destroy the Hamas network if it has to get the hostages back.
Pro-Palestine narrative
The raid violates international humanitarian law protecting medical facilities and personnel and highlights a systematic dismantling of Gaza's healthcare system. The forced evacuation of patients and detention of medical staff has left 75K Palestinians in northern Gaza without access to essential healthcare. Israel must be stopped from turning hospitals into battlegrounds.