Israel's siege of north Gaza kills 1,000 Palestinians in 24 days

In a 24-day siege that created apocalyptic conditions in north Gaza, the Israeli army killed over 1,000 civilians through relentless bombings targeting hospitals, school shelters, and residential areas.

Over the past week, Israeli forces encircled Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Jabalia refugee camp, storming the facility on Friday while 600 Palestinians, including patients and healthcare workers, were trapped inside. 

On Monday, the Israeli army announced its withdrawal from the hospital but detained 100 Palestinians, leaving only one pediatrician to manage the facility.

"Patients and medical staff were assaulted, with many patients and companions arrested, along with most of the medical staff," Dr Khalil Daqran reported, adding that there has been no information on the whereabouts of the 30 detained medics.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that several Hamas members had allegedly disguised themselves as medical staff, though they provided no concrete evidence.

"Conditions in northern Gaza are catastrophic: there is no water, food, or baby formula. Infrastructure has been decimated, and sewage and waste are accumulating, leading to the spread of disease and epidemics among residents," Dr Daqran said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported on Saturday that nearly 44 male staff members were detained, leaving only a female hospital director and one male doctor to care for 200 patients.

Kamal Adwan Hospital’s director, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya reported that numerous injured patients died due to severe shortages of medical supplies due to the Israeli blockade of aid.

Videos and pictures of horrific violence cotinue to surface on social media from Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, amid a communications blackout in the northern regions of Gaza due to relentless Israeli military offensive.

Northern Gaza is also experiencing severe starvation, as no aid carrying essential supplies has been able to enter the enclave since the start of October, according to the United Nations.

The overall Palestinian death toll since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza has reached at least 43,686 with more than 100,833 wounded. Thousands more remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.