Reports have emerged accusing Israeli soldiers of disturbing actions during an eight-day operation at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza last week. Allegations include the desecration of dead patients' bodies with bulldozers, a military dog attacking a man in a wheelchair, and the shooting of multiple doctors. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) contend that the hospital was being used as a command and control center by Hamas.
Video evidence has been reviewed by CNN, supporting some of the claims and revealing a troubling aspect of the IDF's operation. Doctors were reportedly interrogated for connections to Hamas, impeding staff from providing adequate treatment to patients trapped inside the hospital.
The IDF maintains that Hamas hides its infrastructure in and around civilian institutions in Gaza, necessitating targeting these locations to eliminate the group. However, humanitarian organizations argue that such operations render medical facilities unable to provide basic services.
One of the gravest accusations pertains to the IDF allegedly using bulldozers to dig up bodies recently buried in makeshift graveyards within the hospital's courtyard. Hossam Abu Safiya, the hospital's head of pediatric services, described soldiers dragging and crushing the bodies with bulldozers, showcasing videos and images to CNN.
During a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel from November 24 to December 1, 105 hostages were released by Hamas, while 129 remain in captivity. Israelis believe that at least 20 of the remaining hostages have died.
Additionally, thousands of Palestinians are held in Israeli jails without trials and access to legal counsel. The Palestinian Prisoners Club reported over 4,655 arrests in the occupied West Bank since October 7.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 20,000 Palestinians killed, mostly children and women, and 52,286 Palestinians injured since hostilities began.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | IDF Demolishes House Belonging to Hamas Leader Deif
