Two of northern Gaza's last functioning hospitals, the Indonesian hospital and al-Awda hospital, have been encircled by Israeli troops, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the facilities. Hospital staff and aid groups reported this week that Israeli forces are conducting a renewed offensive in the already devastated Palestinian territory, which has faced significant military action for months.

As part of their military strategy, Israeli authorities issued evacuation orders for large parts of northern Gaza on Friday, further intensifying their attacks aimed at pressuring the Hamas militant group to release more hostages. New evacuation orders were subsequently announced on Tuesday. While both hospitals and three primary healthcare centers are within the evacuation zone, Israel has not mandated the evacuation of these vital medical facilities.

According to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), hundreds of attacks have been documented on health facilities since the beginning of the ongoing conflict, which has been described as stretching the health system "beyond the breaking point." Nearly 700 attacks on healthcare facilities have occurred since the war's onset, raising serious concerns about the ability of hospitals in northern Gaza to remain operational.

The Israeli military maintains that it is targeting Hamas infrastructure surrounding these hospitals, accusing the group of using them as command centers. However, evidence substantiating these claims has been limited. Reports indicate that Hamas security personnel can be seen controlling access to certain hospital areas, and in recent weeks, Israeli strikes have targeted alleged militants within these healthcare facilities.

Palestinians believe that the ongoing assaults on hospitals are part of a broader strategy to displace individuals to southern Gaza and eventually drive the population from the territory altogether. They perceive Israel's efforts to facilitate what it refers to as voluntary migration as a plan for forcible expulsion of much of Gaza's population.

Within this critical backdrop, al-Awda hospital has reported being targeted directly; airstrikes have damaged its generators and water supply, jeopardizing the facility's functionality. The Indonesian hospital, once the largest in the region, has also seen recent assaults and remains under siege, with Israeli troops stationed just 500 meters away while drones monitor the area.

On Tuesday, airstrikes notably damaged key infrastructure within these healthcare facilities. Reports indicate that at least one staff member at the Indonesian hospital has been killed, and remaining personnel are in urgent need of supplies. The WHO has indicated that those still inside the hospitals lack adequate access to food and water, with ongoing efforts by the UN to transfer remaining patients to safer facilities.

Approximately 20 doctors and several medical staff members have chosen to remain in the Indonesian hospital, fearing for the lives of those who need immediate care. Additionally, about 140 doctors and medical staff, along with roughly 47 patients—including nearly 20 children and several pregnant women—remain in al-Awda hospital, which has faced isolation from surrounding areas due to military drone activity over the region.

A spokesperson for al-Awda hospital expressed concern for the safety of those inside, stating that anyone moving within the hospital would be fired upon by the drones above. The ongoing situation represents one of the most critical phases for healthcare facilities since the conflict began. Despite evacuation orders, hospital authority members have decided against evacuating, arguing that they must remain operational amidst ongoing bombings and medical emergencies.

The conflict in Gaza erupted following a violent attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians. In retaliation, Israel has conducted extensive military operations, resulting in more than 53,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.