Gaza Health Ministry Says Israel Arrested 70 Health Workers at Nasser Hospital

Israeli military land operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - The Gaza Ministry of Health revealed that dozens of medical personnel were arrested in the Israeli troops' attack on the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza last week, while dozens of patients were moved to an unknown location.

Israeli forces have rendered the Nasser Medical Complex "completely non-functional" and rendered it unable to handle critical cases, the Health Ministry said on Sunday, reported by CNN, February 19.

The comments support similar claims from the World Health Organization (WHO), which said its teams would not be allowed in on Fridays or Saturdays.

Ministry spokesperson Dr. Ashraf Al-Qidra claims around 70 health workers were arrested by Israeli forces. Meanwhile, 80 patients have been transferred from hospitals to unknown locations.

Only 25 medical staff remain at the medical complex, and they are unable to handle cases requiring critical care, Al-Qidra said.

For three days, electricity to the complex was cut off, so the supply of oxygen and water was cut off. So far, seven people have died as a result of the incident, he said.

Previously, Nasser Hospital was the largest hospital still functioning in the city of Khan Younis, south of the Palestinian enclave.

Last week, Israeli special forces raided the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on Thursday, the only large hospital still functioning in the territory after besieging the facility for days.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they "arrested a number of suspects" at the hospital, adding that the operation was still ongoing.

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said they had "credible intelligence from a number of sources, including from released hostages," that Hamas had previously held hostages at the hospital, with the bodies of deceased hostages possibly in the hospital.

However, the Israeli military did not release this evidence publicly.

Adm. Hagari claimed, "Hamas terrorists are most likely hiding behind the injured civilians inside Nasser Hospital at this time," saying the operation would be "precise and limited."

"This sensitive operation was properly prepared and carried out by IDF special forces who underwent special training," said Admiral Hagari, citing Reuters.

On the other hand, the Hamas militant group denied accusations that they were operating at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

"Hamas has no business in hospitals," explained Muhammad Nazzal, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau.

It is known that this Israeli special forces operation occurred a day after hundreds of civilians were forced by Israeli troops to leave the hospital, which they used as a shelter.