Hospitals Under Siege as Israeli Offensive Expands and Gaza Faces Deepening Crisis

The Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, has come under intense Israeli fire, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Medical staff and patients are reportedly trapped inside, with gunfire blocking access to essential supplies, aid personnel, and new patients. This attack marks a dramatic escalation in the region's deteriorating humanitarian situation.

Israel’s military announced it has begun a significant new phase of its campaign, titled “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” targeting Hamas infrastructure. According to the IDF, the northern part of Gaza has become a central focus, with troops engaging what they described as “terrorist infrastructure” near the Indonesian Hospital and other critical sites.

Gaza’s health ministry reported 67 deaths and 361 injuries in the past 24 hours alone. Officials stated that three public hospitals are no longer functional in North Gaza, raising the alarm over a complete collapse of healthcare services in areas under heavy bombardment and ground assaults.

Speaking to the BBC, Dr. Mohammed Salha from al-Awda Hospital highlighted how the shutdown of the Indonesian Hospital has severely disrupted medical support in the area. Al-Awda depends on it for intensive care resources and oxygen supplies. Without these, he said, the hospital cannot function properly or provide critical care to those in need.

Adding to the emergency, a bombing near al-Awda Hospital caused significant damage overnight. Medical workers have had to split their attention between caring for patients and repairing the physical damage to their own facility. The challenges have stretched their limited resources and posed life-threatening risks for everyone inside.

Further south in Khan Younis, Israeli airstrikes targeted two major hospitals—the Nasser Medical Complex and the European Hospital. The Israeli military claimed Hamas had embedded a command center under the European Hospital, prompting what it called a “precise strike” on Hamas operatives using the facility as a shield.

Reports suggest that the target of one of these strikes was Mohammed Sinwar, a senior Hamas official and brother of former Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar. Simultaneously, northern Gaza towns including Jabalia and Beit Lahia experienced additional airstrikes, further intensifying the destruction across the enclave.

Israel’s military campaign resumed in full force after a fragile ceasefire collapsed in mid-March. Since then, thousands have been killed and the humanitarian situation has spiraled. Israel maintains that its objectives include freeing hostages and fully dismantling Hamas, even as food and medical supplies remain severely restricted.

In Qatar, indirect negotiations have resumed in an attempt to broker a ceasefire. Hamas reportedly offered to release nine hostages in return for a 60-day truce, increased humanitarian aid, and medical evacuations. Israel, however, insisted on proof of life for all remaining hostages and refused to end the war or withdraw troops.