Palestinians with bloodstained hands carried casualties to tarageted hospital.

Al-Awda Was the Last Functioning Hospital
in the North of the Palestinian Territory
Al Jazeera

(May 29, 2025) — Israel has ordered the closure of al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, leaving health officials scrambling to relocate dozens of people who remain at the medical facility, as deadly bombardment and starvation rack the besieged enclave.

At least 70 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks since the early hours of Thursday.

The Gaza Health Ministry called Israel’s push, which forced the hospital out of commission, a “continuation of the violations and crimes” against the medical sector in the territory.

Al-Awda was the last operating hospital in northern Gaza, according to health officials. Shutting down the hospital came amid continued Israeli forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, the latest order late on Thursday impacting large numbers of people north and east of Gaza City.

“The Health Ministry calls on all concerned sides to ensure protection for the health system in the Gaza Strip, as guaranteed by international and humanitarian laws,” the ministry said in a statement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said 97 people, including 13 patients, are still at the hospital. The United Nations agency is planning a mission on Friday to transfer the patients to another facility

“Due to impassable roads, the hospital’s medical equipment cannot be relocated,” WHO said in a statement.

“With Al-Awda’s closure, there is no remaining functional hospital in North Gaza — severing a critical lifeline for the people there.”

WHO pleaded “for the hospital’s protection and staff and patients’ safety”.