Israeli forces at Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza allegedly forced doctors to strip down before allowing five of them back inside to treat patients, as part of a larger operation arresting hundreds of suspected Hamas militants posing as medical staff.
The incident occurred amidst a broader military operation, with the IDF claiming to have found medicine with names of Israeli hostages on them inside the hospital.
The eyewitness, communicating from Nasser hospital, described how IDF ordered doctors outside, where they were instructed to undress despite freezing temperatures. Five doctors were eventually allowed back in while the fate of the others remains unknown.
The hospital, previously Gaza’s largest, now operates with minimal resources, relying on backup power and facing challenges in accessing essential supplies.
The eyewitness detailed dire conditions inside, with patients lacking food, water, and basic necessities. Despite WHO efforts to provide aid, the situation remains critical, with patients evacuated due to oxygen shortages.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported numerous arrests of healthcare workers by Israeli forces, denying IDF claims of finding medicine related to Israeli hostages.
The IDF maintained its actions were part of efforts to apprehend Hamas militants and ensure security, alleging some detainees had connections to the October 7 attack on Israel. However, Gaza’s Ministry of Health refuted these claims, emphasizing the hospital’s role in serving civilians.
The situation underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by military actions and restrictions on essential services. It also highlights the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where medical facilities become sites of both care and conflict.
