The people of northern Gaza have lost their last major hospital, as al-Awda Hospital was forced to shut down after an evacuation order from the Israeli military. This event marks a new low in the humanitarian crisis gripping the region. With al-Awda gone, there are no working hospitals left in the North Gaza governorate, leaving thousands of sick and injured people with nowhere to turn for urgent medical care.
What Happened to al-Awda Hospital?
Al-Awda was the only hospital still open in northern Gaza after months of intense conflict. On Thursday, May 29, 2025, the Israeli military ordered everyone inside to leave immediately. The hospital’s director, Dr. Mohammed Salha, told the BBC that staff and patients had already endured two weeks of siege, with constant bombings and gunfire from tanks. Dr. Salha said that Israeli forces threatened to enter the hospital and harm those inside, or even bomb the building, if people did not leave.
After hours of discussions, the evacuation finally took place around 8:30 p.m. Hospital staff carried patients more than 300 meters to ambulances waiting far from the building, because the roads were completely destroyed. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that because of the damaged roads, most of the hospital’s medical equipment could not be moved.
Where Did the Patients Go?
Patients from al-Awda were taken to other hospitals, mainly al-Shifa in Gaza City. Some medical staff are trying to provide basic care through a primary health center in the city and may set up another small clinic in a shelter. But for many people in northern Gaza, getting to these places is nearly impossible because of ongoing fighting, destroyed streets, and the risk of being caught in crossfire.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The closure of al-Awda has cut off a lifeline for the people of northern Gaza. The WHO and other aid groups say this is a disaster for public health. Hospitals are supposed to be safe places for the sick and injured, protected by international law. But in Gaza, many hospitals have been attacked, damaged, or forced to close. Over 1,400 healthcare workers, patients, and people seeking shelter have died in such attacks since the war began.
The situation is made worse by severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. Many people are starving and cannot find enough to eat. Aid trucks are sometimes the only source of food, but even reaching these trucks is dangerous because of ongoing violence. Some people walk for hours just to get a small box of food, often returning empty-handed or injured.
Why Did This Happen?
The Israeli military says it is targeting areas where armed groups, like Hamas, are operating. They say hospitals can be used as bases for fighters, which is why they sometimes order evacuations or attack these buildings. The Israeli government also says the blockade and military actions are meant to pressure Hamas to release hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. However, the UN and many humanitarian organizations say that these actions are causing extreme suffering for ordinary people, especially children and the elderly.
The loss of al-Awda Hospital is not just a story about one building closing. It is a sign of how bad things have become for the people of Gaza. When hospitals close, everyone suffers—not just those who are sick or injured. Families cannot get help for their loved ones. Pregnant women, children, and the elderly are especially at risk.
The world’s leading health organizations are calling for hospitals and medical staff to be protected, as required by international law. They say that attacks on healthcare are making the crisis worse and pushing the health system “beyond the breaking point”.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
For now, people in northern Gaza have lost their last major hospital. The few primary health centers that remain open are not enough to handle the needs of the population. The situation is expected to get worse unless there is a ceasefire and more aid is allowed in.
The closure of al-Awda also raises important questions about the protection of civilians in war zones. Hospitals are supposed to be safe places, but in Gaza, they have become targets. This makes it much harder for people to get the help they need and puts innocent lives at risk.
A Call for Humanity
In the end, the story of al-Awda Hospital is a reminder of the human cost of war. When hospitals close, everyone suffers. Children, parents, and grandparents lose access to care. Doctors and nurses, who are trying to save lives, are forced to leave their posts. The international community must find ways to protect civilians and ensure that hospitals and healthcare workers are safe, no matter where they are.
As the world watches, the people of Gaza are left hoping for peace, for safety, and for a chance to heal—not just their bodies, but their lives and their communities, too.
The closure of al-Awda Hospital is a tragic milestone in a long and painful conflict. It is a story that shows how war affects everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable. The world must not look away.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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