As international condemnation grows regarding the Israeli military's arrest of the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, the military announced it has new evidence suggesting that militant groups used the hospital as a command center.
The Israeli military released footage purportedly showing an interrogation of one of over 240 militants arrested during a raid on the hospital. The military claims this evidence supports allegations that Hamas and other armed groups are embedding themselves in hospitals, violating international law.
The authenticity of the claims made in the video has not been independently verified. Reports indicate that many detainees are held at Sde Teiman, an army base in southern Israel, where they have described demeaning conditions and abuse. The Israeli military has denied these allegations.
The released video features a young man, Anas Muhammad Faiz al-Sharif, who identifies himself as a cleaning supervisor at the hospital and a member of Hamas’s military wing since 2021. He claims that Hamas and other groups used the hospital for weapons transfers, patrols, and as an observation post, believing it to be a safe haven from Israeli military action.
International law protects hospitals, even those treating combatants, but if they are used for military purposes, they may become legitimate targets. The military must consider the expected military advantage against potential civilian harm, ensuring that any action is not disproportionate.
Israel has previously raided Kamal Adwan Hospital and has conducted operations in its vicinity. In October, most of the hospital's staff were detained or expelled during a prolonged raid. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital director, had previously reported multiple attacks on the facility.
Hamas has not commented on the Israeli military's claims regarding its operations. Medical professionals worldwide, including in Israel, have condemned the raid and the arrest of Dr. Abu Safiya, who had been a key provider of medical care amid ongoing military campaigns in northern Gaza.
Following the raid, the Israeli military confirmed Dr. Abu Safiya's arrest, accusing him of being a Hamas member. Since Hamas has governed Gaza since 2007, public services, including healthcare, are often intertwined with the group.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel reported that the military has denied their requests to send a lawyer to assess Dr. Abu Safiya's condition and detention circumstances, stating he is barred from lawyer visits until January 10.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that Kamal Adwan Hospital is "completely out of function" and expressed concern over the lack of updates on Dr. Abu Safiya's well-being, urging Israel to release him and end attacks on healthcare facilities.
On Monday, medical workers protested globally, including in cities like San Francisco, New York, and London, calling for Dr. Abu Safiya's release and an end to assaults on healthcare workers in Gaza. The protests were organized by Doctors Against Genocide, a coalition advocating for the release of detained medical personnel.
Despite international outrage, the Israeli military maintains that Hamas and other militant groups are deliberately placing themselves among civilians in violation of international law. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the military's chief of staff, indicated that the military campaign in Gaza would continue unabated.