‘Key Stronghold’ For Terrorists: IDF Begins Operation at Northern Gaza Hospital Used by Hamas 

Latest Developments 

• Gazan Hospital Turned Hamas Base: Israel’s unit for Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said on December 27 that the IDF began an operation “in the area of Kamal Adwan Hospital” in northern Gaza after Hamas used the medical facility as a “key stronghold for terrorist organizations.” The IDF had previously operated at Kamal Adwan to prevent Hamas from utilizing the medical facility for terror purposes, most recently during Hamas’s resurgence in October. 

• IDF Mitigated Harm to Civilians Before Operation: COGAT’s statement outlined the IDF’s efforts to reduce risk to civilians in the area, including facilitating “the secure evacuation of civilians, patients, and medical personnel prior to the operation,” in coordination “with local officials in the health authorities and international organizations.” The IDF said it would “make extensive efforts for patients to continue receiving care in other hospitals” by transferring food and supplies as well as restoring medical facilities in the area. 

• Kamal Adwan’s Terror Past: Kamal Adwan Hospital previously served as a safe haven for Hamas terrorists following its vicious October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. On November 4, terrorists detonated an explosive device against a humanitarian convoy evacuating patients from the hospital, wounding six children. A Gazan ambulance driver at Kamal Adwan Hospital said in October that Hamas “operatives are present … in the courtyards, at the gates of the buildings, in the offices,” adding that “they operate ambulances to transport their wounded military operatives, and to transport them for their missions.” In May, Kurdish outlet Rudaw published an interview with Dr. Baxtiyar Baram, a Kurdish doctor who volunteered in Gaza, who said that not only did he witness Hamas leaders hiding in the Kamal Adwan Hospital but that he even spoke to “one of the founders of Hamas” inside the hospital. 

FDD Expert Response 

“Once again, we learn that Hamas has established a terror command center inside a hospital while Israel goes above and beyond its legal obligations to facilitate evacuations from that hospital before dismantling the terror infrastructure. Where is the emergency UN Security Council resolution to condemn Hamas for using human shields or the emergency board meeting of the World Health Organization to condemn turning a hospital into a terror headquarters? This is a moment that exposes the hypocrisy of the UN system and the lack of U.S. leadership to hold the UN accountable.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor 

“Hamas cynically uses hospitals, schools, and other civilian infrastructure as bases of operation, forcing Israel to choose between possibly harming civilians caught up among terrorists or not acting and endangering Israeli civilians. International media and organizations run with this to frame Israel as a war criminal for defending itself against an enemy that uses civilians as human shields.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst 

“The IDF has been forced to return to the area of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza because Hamas uses the area for terrorist purposes. This isn’t without precedent. Hamas has systematically exploited hospitals in Gaza throughout the war, often taking cover in them and utilizing their protected status to perpetuate terrorist activities. Hamas members have been found hiding in Kamal Adwan Hospital in the past, and it appears the terrorist group has resurged once again. It is essential that Hamas be removed from the proximity of hospitals so that the medical facilities can return to their civilian purpose. Israel should not only proceed with its operation but should also work to prevent Hamas from returning to Kamal Adwan.” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow 

FDD Background and Analysis 

“Israel Apprehends Hamas Terrorists Barricaded in Northern Gaza Hospital,” FDD Flash Brief 

“IDF Raid on Gaza Hospital Captures Largest Number of Terrorists Since War Began,” FDD Flash Brief 

“Hundreds of Terrorist Operatives Found at Gaza Hospital,” FDD Flash Brief 

“IDF: Hamas Held Hostages at Nasser Hospital,” FDD Flash Brief