The last operational hospital in North Gaza, al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia, has been forced to evacuate after receiving direct orders from the Israeli military. Dr. Mohammed Salha, the hospital’s director, confirmed that the evacuation occurred Thursday evening following two weeks of siege and threats of bombardment.
Dr. Salha described the harrowing situation, stating that Israeli forces warned staff that if they did not vacate the premises, they would storm the hospital or bomb it. Despite his initial offer to stay with a small medical team to care for patients, the military rejected the proposal, leading to a full evacuation after seven hours of tense negotiations.
Staff had to carry patients over 300 meters to ambulances due to roads being destroyed. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the hospital’s medical equipment could not be transported due to the impassable terrain. Patients were relocated to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
This marks the fourth siege on al-Awda since October 2023. According to a joint statement from 18 humanitarian organizations, the hospital has been hit at least 28 times, including strikes on its emergency room and water desalination facilities. The WHO has condemned the closure, emphasizing that no functioning hospital remains in North Gaza, effectively cutting off medical care for thousands.
The Israeli military had declared parts of North Gaza—including Jabalia and Shujaiya—as dangerous combat zones, citing ongoing operations against Hamas. The Israeli Defense Forces have not officially commented on the al-Awda evacuation.
Aid remains a critical concern in the region. Though limited deliveries have resumed, UN officials warn of a looming famine. The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, accused Israel of “forced starvation,” while Doctors Without Borders labeled recent aid distribution plans by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as ineffective.
International pressure is mounting, with French President Emmanuel Macron urging tougher stances if Israel fails to ease humanitarian conditions. Israel maintains there is no blockade and insists Hamas is responsible for ongoing suffering, a claim the group denies.
The crisis continues to deepen, with civilians bearing the brunt of the escalating conflict and the collapse of health infrastructure.
