ICRC Warns of “Obliterated” Health Care System in Northern Gaza Amid Aggression

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a stark warning on Monday, stating that repeated hostilities in and around hospitals have “obliterated” the healthcare system in northern Gaza, putting civilians at an “unacceptably grave risk” of being deprived of lifesaving care.

In a statement, the ICRC emphasized its urgent call for the protection of medical facilities in accordance with international humanitarian law. “This protection is a legal obligation and a moral imperative to preserve human life,” the organization said, highlighting that hospitals serve as a vital lifeline for the wounded and sick in conflict zones.

The ICRC noted that Al-Awda Hospital, previously supported with medical supplies, is now under immense pressure as one of the few operational hospitals in the region. In contrast, Kamal Adwan and Indonesian hospitals have been rendered completely inoperable. The ICRC described how these medical facilities have struggled for months to provide care due to ongoing attacks that have damaged infrastructure and endangered both staff and patients.

With the growing influx of patients, caregivers, and displaced civilians, the ICRC warned that medical personnel are unable to meet the escalating needs. The situation is compounded by severe shortages in medical supplies, fuel, food, and specialized healthcare capacities.

The ICRC’s statement follows a Zionist raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital on Friday, which resulted in the destruction of large sections of the facility and forced patients and displaced civilians to flee. This raid, part of a broader pattern of attacks on healthcare facilities, has put the last major hospital in northern Gaza out of service, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Since October 7, 2023, Zionist forces have killed more than 45,500 people in Gaza, leaving the enclave in ruins. In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former War Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, “Israel” faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the region.