Gaza health officials reported that Israeli forces surrounded and shelled the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia early Friday morning, prompting serious concerns for the safety of patients and medical staff. Marwan Sultan, the hospital’s director, stated that Israeli tanks have completely encircled the facility, cut off electricity, and targeted the second and third floors with artillery fire. “There are serious risks to medical staff and patients,” he emphasized.
The Gaza health ministry confirmed the shelling, indicating that over 40 patients and medical personnel were present during the assault. The ministry described the atmosphere as one of “great panic,” caused by heavy gunfire directed toward the hospital and its courtyard.
In response to the incident, the Israeli military acknowledged that troops were operating near the hospital but insisted that no intentional fire was directed at the facility. “The troops operating in the area have been trained for operational activity and briefed on the importance of mitigating harm to civilians and medical infrastructure,” the military stated. They maintained that the hospital continues to function without disruption.
This escalation comes amid Israel’s intensified military offensive in northern Gaza, which began earlier this month. The Israeli government claims the operations are aimed at Hamas fighters regrouping in the region. The United Nations humanitarian affairs agency has warned that civilians in northern Gaza are facing increasingly dire conditions under heavy bombardment, with families struggling to survive.
Health authorities in Gaza reported that more than 400 Palestinians have been killed in the northern region over the past two weeks during the ongoing military assault. Gaza’s civil defense agency spokesperson, Mahmud Bassal, stated that their teams have recovered over 400 bodies from various targeted areas, including Jabalia and Beit Hanoun, since the military operations commenced on October 6.
Reports indicate that Israeli forces have effectively isolated towns like Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, and Beit Lahia from Gaza City, restricting movement except for families complying with evacuation orders. Communication and internet services have been disrupted, complicating rescue efforts.
Additionally, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least 11 people in a home in the Al Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, with reports of missing individuals under the rubble. The situation has led to an urgent appeal for medical supplies, food, and fuel for hospitals in northern Gaza, which are overwhelmed with casualties.
Israel’s military operations have drawn strong international criticism, particularly concerning attacks on hospitals, which it accuses Hamas of using for military purposes. As the conflict escalates, the humanitarian crisis in the region continues to deepen, with health officials warning of severe shortages in medical resources.