Israeli forces raid hospital in Gaza after staff reported killed in airstrike

A fire broke out at one of northern Gaza's only functioning hospitals yesterday morning, as Israeli forces who raided it forced medics and patients to leave, according to staff members.

- Kaamil Ahmed

Kamal Adwan hospital and the surrounding area have been under increased attack this week, according to hospital director Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, who said five medical staff were killed in a strike on Thursday.

Abu Safiya said he was threatened with arrest by Israeli forces, who ordered staff to leave and patients to be transferred to the nearby Indonesian hospital, including those in critical care and on oxygen supplies.

"The occupation army is burning all the operating departments in the hospital while we are still there," Abu Safiya posted on Instagram. "The army evacuated the entire medical staff and the displaced people and arrested a number of the medical staff. There are a large number of injuries among the staff." He added that much of the hospital building and equipment was damaged.