Israel's recent airstrikes on the European Gaza Hospital complex in southern Gaza, aimed at eliminating a high-ranking Hamas commander, have reignited debate over the controversial issue of attacks on medical facilities amidst ongoing conflict. The strikes resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals and caused significant damage to the hospital grounds, as confirmed by Gazan medical authorities and verified video footage.
In addition to the hospital attack, Israeli strikes in northern Gaza reportedly killed dozens of people overnight, according to Palestinian health officials. The recent assault on the European Gaza Hospital was noted as one of the most severe attacks on a medical facility during the conflict, which has already devastated Gaza's healthcare system.
The Israeli military stated that the operation targeted a Hamas command center located beneath the hospital, specifically aiming for Muhammad Sinwar, a senior commander of Hamas. Hospital director Imad al-Hout reported that the strikes were executed without prior warning, resulting in damaged infrastructure and forcing the evacuation of most patients, although he denied any Hamas presence within the facility.
Human rights advocates and international observers have condemned such attacks, alleging that they contribute to a broader strategy aimed at dismantling Gaza's health system, which they argue amounts to genocide against the Palestinian population. The World Health Organization has documented 686 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza since the conflict began, with many hospitals rendered inoperable.
Supporters of Israel assert that the attacks are legally justified responses to Hamas's alleged use of hospitals for military operations, claiming that Hamas utilizes these facilities as shields for its activities. While Hamas denies these allegations, Israeli officials maintain that the group's practices endanger civilian lives.
International humanitarian law generally protects hospitals from attack, requiring that military strikes be proportional and that warnings be issued in advance. Experts note that while the use of hospitals for military purposes can negate their protected status, the obligation to minimize civilian harm remains paramount. The legality of the recent strikes is under scrutiny, particularly given the already compromised state of Gaza's healthcare system.
Legal scholars contend that the anticipated military benefits of such attacks must be weighed against the potential civilian impact, suggesting that the current situation in Gaza complicates any legal justification for targeting hospitals. The Israeli military has not publicly addressed the failure to issue a warning prior to the hospital strike but maintains that the operation was conducted in accordance with international law.