Gaza Hospital Faces Urgent Evacuation as Tensions Escalate

As Israeli forces advance, a major hospital in central Gaza empties out, leaving patients and staff in a dire situation.

At a Glance

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, is evacuating due to fears of an Israeli ground operation
The hospital is the main facility serving central Gaza and has not received official evacuation orders
Israeli evacuation orders cover around 84% of Gaza’s territory, displacing about 90% of the 2.3 million population
Only 16 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially functioning, exacerbating the health crisis
The war has killed over 40,000 Palestinians and caused heavy destruction since it began on Oct. 7

Hospital Evacuation Amid Advancing Israeli Forces

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, is evacuating as Israeli forces draw near. The hospital, serving as the main medical facility for central Gaza, has not received official evacuation orders from the Israeli military. Despite this, fear of an impending ground operation has prompted staff and patients to flee.

The evacuation of this crucial healthcare facility underscores the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israeli strikes in Gaza City and Khan Younis have already claimed at least 19 lives, further intensifying the conflict. As the hospital empties, concerns grow about the fate of those who depend on its services.

🔴BREAKING:

Israel has given Al Awda Hospital just two hours to evacuate. Our staff are still treating patients.

We unequivocally condemn this action, the continued indiscriminate bloodshed and attacks on health care in Gaza.

We are trying to protect our staff and patients.

— MSF International (@MSF) October 13, 2023

Widespread Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis

The Israeli military’s evacuation orders now cover approximately 84% of Gaza’s territory, displacing around 90% of the region’s 2.3 million inhabitants. This mass exodus has led to dire living conditions, with thousands of Palestinian families forced to reside in tent camps along the beach, facing severe shortages of food and clean water.

“Where will we get medicine?” Adliyeh al-Najjar said as she rested outside the hospital gate. “Where will patients like me go?”

Satellite images reveal a significant increase in tent density along the beachfront since July 19, highlighting the scale of the displacement. The U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that recent Israeli evacuation orders have affected over 8,000 people in northern Gaza and Deir al-Balah, impacting not only residential areas but also crucial infrastructure such as humanitarian centers, clinics, wells, and water facilities.

Healthcare System on the Brink of Collapse

The ongoing conflict has taken a severe toll on Gaza’s healthcare system. Currently, only 16 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially functioning, exacerbating an already critical health crisis. The evacuation of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which was treating over 600 patients before the evacuation orders, leaves only about 100 patients remaining, many in critical condition.

“This effectively upends a whole lifesaving humanitarian hub,” Laerke said.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is considering suspending wound care due to an explosion near the hospital, further compromising the ability to provide essential medical services. The Israeli military maintains that it is operating against Hamas in Deir al-Balah and has issued evacuation orders to protect civilians. However, the impact on civilian infrastructure, particularly hospitals, raises serious concerns about the conflict’s conduct and its humanitarian consequences.

A War with No End in Sight

The conflict, which began on October 7 with a Hamas attack on Israeli bases, has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction in Gaza. Despite ongoing efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire and secure the release of hostages, major obstacles remain. The situation at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital serves as a stark reminder of the war’s devastating impact on civilians and the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further loss of life and destruction of critical infrastructure.