Israel’s military has encircled two of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza — the Indonesian Hospital and al-Awda Hospital — according to medical staff and aid groups. This move follows Israeli evacuation orders for large parts of northern Gaza amid intensified military operations aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that these developments are pushing Gaza’s health system “beyond the breaking point,” as hospitals and health centers are caught within or near the evacuation zones.
Israeli Forces Intensify Gaza Offensive Targeting Hamas And Surrounding Key Medical Facilities
An Israeli military spokesperson announced the start of a new, larger phase in the conflict, involving forces from the 401st Brigade and Givati Brigade, focused on locating kidnapped soldiers and defeating Hamas. Israeli troops have reportedly destroyed Hamas infrastructure and eliminated dozens of militants.
Despite claims that ambulances have been allowed access around hospitals, drones and airstrikes have hovered near medical facilities, and Israeli bulldozers have even demolished the perimeter wall of the Indonesian Hospital.
The Indonesian Hospital suffered significant damage when Israeli airstrikes targeted its power generators, causing fires and loss of the main power supply. At least one hospital staff member was killed. Aid groups report severe shortages of water and food for patients and medical staff remaining at the hospitals. The WHO and the UN are working to transfer patients to safer locations, but movement is hampered by ongoing drone strikes and attacks on ambulances, particularly near al-Awda Hospital.
Al-Awda Hospital Under Constant Drone Threat As Aid Delays Worsen Gaza Crisis
Al-Awda Hospital remains under threat, with Israeli drones reportedly firing in its courtyard, restricting movement, and putting patients and medical staff at risk. The hospital still houses about 47 patients, including children and pregnant women, along with approximately 140 medical personnel. According to hospital board members, anyone moving inside the facility risks being targeted, forcing people to stay low and severely limiting medical care and logistics.
After more than two and a half months of sealing off Gaza, Israel has allowed a limited flow of food and medicine into the territory, with only a few dozen trucks entering since Monday. However, aid distribution remains delayed due to Israeli military procedures, preventing essential supplies from reaching those in critical need. The overall situation underscores the extreme strain on Gaza’s health infrastructure amid ongoing conflict and restricted humanitarian access.
