Israeli forces have surrounded and cut off access to Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, rendering it practically inoperable. The blockade follows a similar raid on Al Awda Hospital and is part of a pattern of besiegement and assault on Gaza's medical facilities by the Israeli military. The military claims that Hamas uses hospitals as shields, but there is no independent verification of these claims. The ongoing assaults have left many hospitals out of operation and resulted in numerous medical worker casualties. The situation has forced many Palestinians to flee their homes once again, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.