Khaberni -Khaberni - The director of Al-Awda Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, Dr. Mohammad Masalha, announced that the Israeli occupation forces directly targeted the main drug warehouse in the hospital, which led to its complete burning and the loss of the strategic stock of medicines and medical supplies.
Masalha added that the fire continued for more than two days, destroying all external medical facilities, including equipment and vehicles, confirming that the remaining supplies inside the departments are not sufficient for more than a week, amidst the crippling siege and shortage of supplies.
Masalha pointed out that the targeting was not limited to drugs only but also included the main fuel tank, which was completely emptied, leading to the loss of more than 4000 liters of fuel, in addition to disabling the analysis station, and the specialty surgery department going out of service, which caused a loss of 50% of the hospital’s operational capacity.
According to Masalha, Al-Awda Hospital currently accommodates 19 patients and their companions, amid deteriorating humanitarian and health conditions, where the entry of ambulances or the exit of crews is prohibited, and any movement around the hospital is targeted.
Masalha mentioned that the hospital was also subject to *double shelling of the specialty surgery department*, where it was targeted by the occupation forces on 21 November 2023 after it had been repaired from a previous bombing, resulting in *the martyrdom of three doctors, an attendant, and a patient.
He also revealed the martyrdom of a nurse and two cleaning staff by sniper fire during the siege in December, raising the total number of martyrs inside the hospital to seven, including six from the staff and one patient companion.
Regarding arrests, Masalha explained that the occupation arrested five of the hospital's staff, three of whom have been released, while three remain under arrest until now, including Dr. Ahmad Muhanna, the previous director of the hospital, Dr. Muhammad Obaid, an orthopedic surgery consultant, and the hospital's workers’ representative.
Masalha continued: "Despite the repeated targeting and complete siege, Al-Awda Hospital still exerts its utmost energy to provide medical service, amidst the collapse of the health system in northern Gaza, and the government hospitals going out of service."
