IDF denies Palestinian media reports that it struck and ordered evacuation of north Gaza hospital

[Celerity]

1. but they did do this: Israel confirms it is holding Gaza hospital director Dr Hussam Abu Safiya (Kamal Adwan Hospital)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx26v70n5z4o



Israeli forces have detained and interrogated medical staff after forcibly evacuating the last major hospital in northern Gaza, the Hamas-run health ministry says. The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, was among those taken for questioning by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which accused him of "being a Hamas terrorist operative", without providing evidence.

On Friday an estimated 50 people, including medical staff were killed in Israeli air strikes targeting the vicinity of the hospital, the health ministry said. The IDF said it had carried out an operation there, alleging the hospital was a "Hamas terrorist stronghold". Fifteen critical patients, 50 caregivers and 20 health workers were transferred the nearby Indonesian Hospital, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

The WHO said it was "appalled by yesterday's raid" on the hospital, which it said now meant the area's last major health facility was out of service. Eid Sabbah, head of the nursing department at Kamal Adwan, told the BBC the military had ordered the evacuation around 07:00 on Friday, giving the hospital about 15 minutes to move patients and staff into the courtyard. Israeli troops then entered the hospital and removed the remaining patients, he said.

The IDF said it had "facilitated the secure evacuation of civilians, patients and medical personnel" before beginning the operation. The city of Beit Lahia, where the hospital is located, has been under a tightening Israeli blockade imposed on parts of northern Gaza since October. The UN has said the area has been under "near-total siege" as the Israeli military heavily restricts access of aid deliveries to an area where an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people remain.

snip