The Closure of al-Awda: A Critical Lifeline Severed
Israel has officially ordered the shutdown of al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza — the final operational hospital in the region. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the closure comes amidst continuous Israeli bombardments and forced evacuations, further decimating Gaza’s already crippled healthcare infrastructure.
The Health Ministry condemned the move as a “continuation of violations and crimes” against Gaza’s medical sector. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 97 individuals, including 13 patients, remain at the facility. Plans are underway to relocate them, but impassable roads and the impossibility of transferring medical equipment pose major obstacles.
“Al-Awda’s closure severs a critical lifeline for civilians in North Gaza,” WHO said. “We urgently plead for the protection of this hospital and the safety of its staff and patients.”
Starvation and Chaos at Gaza Aid Sites
Simultaneously, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Starvation is rampant. An attempt by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — backed by Israel and the US — to distribute food has been marred by chaos and bloodshed.
“We haven’t seen any food or flour in five days,” said Saher Abu Tahoon, a resident who travelled over 10km in search of aid. “I’m too tired and too hungry to carry this box.”
Gunfire and explosions have been reported near aid sites, trapping civilians as Israeli tanks and armored vehicles advanced in the area. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud confirmed that people appealing to the Red Cross were stuck due to ongoing military activity.
Meanwhile, 600 aid trucks sit idle at the Karem Abu Salem crossing as Israel continues to block UN access. UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini emphasized that “starvation is threatening the future of Gaza’s children,” urging Israel to allow large-scale humanitarian operations without obstruction.
International Reactions and Fragile Ceasefire Negotiations
The UN and humanitarian groups are calling for urgent intervention. The Palestinian Civil Defence reported around 30 people missing under the rubble of a residential building hit in Gaza City. “The lack of heavy equipment prevents recovery operations,” they noted, calling for international help.
As the humanitarian catastrophe unfolds, discussions around a ceasefire continue. The White House confirmed that Israel had accepted a temporary truce proposal brokered by envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas, however, remains undecided.
Hamas official Basem Naim criticized the proposal for failing to meet key demands, including an end to the war and a lifting of the blockade. Israeli analyst Akiva Eldar suggested that Netanyahu may be using the acceptance as a political strategy, expecting Hamas to reject it and thus take the blame.
Despite the devastating toll, over 70 Palestinians were reported killed on Thursday alone. As the world watches, Gaza’s health infrastructure and humanitarian resilience hang by a thread — with al-Awda’s closure marking a devastating turning point.
