Palestinian health officials issued an urgent appeal on Wednesday for a humanitarian corridor to three hospitals in northern Gaza that are on the verge of collapse as Israeli forces continue heavy fighting against Hamas. Nearly two weeks of intense clashes have left the region cut off from vital supplies, pushing the Kamal Adwan, Al-Awda, and Indonesian hospitals into a critical state. Despite Israeli evacuation orders, doctors at these hospitals have refused to leave their patients, further highlighting the dire situation.
“We are calling on the international community, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization to open a corridor to support our healthcare system,” said Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital. He emphasized that over 300 medical staff are working without adequate resources, even struggling to provide a single meal for those treating patients. Jabalia, a historic refugee camp in northern Gaza, has been a hotspot in the conflict, with Israeli troops initially pushing through but Palestinian militants later re-establishing themselves in the area.
High Civilian Death Toll and Escalating Clashes
The ongoing Israeli offensive has resulted in widespread devastation, with Palestinian health officials reporting that around 350 Palestinians have been killed in the Jabalia area alone. In Gaza City, an Israeli airstrike on a residential house on Wednesday claimed the lives of 13 people, according to local medics. The Gaza health ministry reported that in the past 24 hours, Israeli strikes had killed 65 Palestinians across the enclave. The mounting death toll and deteriorating humanitarian situation have drawn international attention and criticism, with the United States issuing one of its strongest warnings to Israel yet, urging improvements or facing potential restrictions on military aid.
Speaking from Istanbul, senior Hamas official Basem Naim dismissed the U.S. demands as superficial, accusing Washington and Israel of sharing the same strategic objectives despite their “tactical differences.” Naim expressed skepticism about U.S. calls for more humanitarian aid for Gaza, pointing to the billions in military support the U.S. continues to provide to Israel.
Israeli Military Denies Systematic Evacuations Amid Fears of Permanent Displacement
The Israeli military, in its ongoing efforts to root out Hamas fighters embedded in northern Gaza, has reported killing over 50 Palestinian militants in recent days. As part of its strategy, Israel has issued evacuation orders, urging residents to move to what it claims are safer areas in southern Gaza. However, many Palestinians fear these evacuations are part of a broader plan to clear the population from northern Gaza permanently. Israel has denied such claims, stating that the evacuation orders are solely for the protection of civilians and to separate them from militants.
Despite these assurances, the fear of permanent displacement lingers, particularly as Israeli troops intensify their push through northern Gaza. With the fighting focused on densely populated areas like Jabalia, civilians remain caught in the crossfire, and the need for humanitarian relief has become more urgent.
Aid Struggles to Reach Northern Gaza Amid Growing Hunger Crisis
While Israel claims that humanitarian supplies have been flowing into Gaza, with over 9,000 tons of aid delivered since October 1, including food, water, and medical supplies, access to northern Gaza remains limited. The United Nations estimates that around 400,000 Palestinians remain in northern Gaza, despite Israel’s call for evacuations.
On Wednesday, Israeli authorities announced that 50 trucks carrying essential supplies provided by Jordan had been sent to northern Gaza. However, according to local medical staff, the situation remains dire. Hadeel Obeid, a nurse supervisor at the Indonesian Hospital, said that the people in the north were “starving.” With only one small meal per day shared among doctors, nurses, and patients, the lack of resources has created immense strain. Obeid also noted that medical supplies were running dangerously low due to the relentless demand from treating the wounded.
A Humanitarian Crisis Worsens as the Conflict Continues
The Israeli military launched its offensive against Hamas following the group’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7, which killed 1,200 people and saw around 250 hostages taken into Gaza. Since the beginning of the conflict, Gaza’s health authorities estimate that over 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive. As the fighting continues, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is rapidly worsening, with hospitals on the brink of collapse, civilians facing food shortages, and aid struggling to reach those in need.
With no signs of a ceasefire and the international community divided on how to address the conflict, the people of Gaza, particularly those in the northern regions, remain trapped in a life-and-death struggle for survival. The call for a humanitarian corridor grows more urgent by the day, as the healthcare system teeters on the edge of total failure.
