UAE strongly condemns Israel burning Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza

The UAE has condemned and denounced in the strongest terms the Israeli occupation forces' burning of Kamal Adwan Hospital and the forced evacuation of patients and medical personnel in northern Gaza.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stressed the UAE's categorical rejection of this heinous act that violates international humanitarian law, and the systematic and deplorable destruction of the remaining health system in the Strip.

Furthermore, the Ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s position calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, reiterating the importance of protecting civilians and civilian institutions, according to international law, including international treaties, and the need to ensure that they are not targeted during conflict.

The Ministry expressed its deep concern over the exacerbating humanitarian crisis in the Strip, which threatens further loss of civilian lives, warning against the perilous humanitarian catastrophe.

The UAE called on the international community to intensify efforts to avoid further fuelling the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and to advance all efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just peace.

Israeli forces on Friday set fire to Kamal Adwan Hospital, the largest and only operational medical facility in northern Gaza, which served over 400,000 Palestinians.

Local sources confirmed that Israeli military units stormed the hospital, forcibly evacuating patients, injured civilians, medical staff, and journalists under heavy missile strikes and live ammunition fire.

Reports revealed that Israeli soldiers surrounded the hospital, cutting off all communication with those inside. Around 350 people, including 170 medical staff, were reportedly ordered to gather in the courtyard, where they were forced to strip in the cold, and later taken to an undisclosed location.