Gaza (Quds News Network)- The Israeli military targeted the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza on Friday. The facility was the only hospital in the besieged strip dedicated to treating cancer patients.
Video footage circulating on social media showed Israeli forces detonating explosives inside the hospital complex, located south of Gaza City. Israeli troops also destroyed a nearby medical school, causing severe structural damage.
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed that “the targeted building has not operated as a hospital for over a year,” without providing further details.
Since November 2023, the Israeli army had used the hospital as a military base in the ‘Netzarim’ corridor. Troops withdrew in February as part of a ceasefire agreement but later resumed attacks. Throughout the past year, Israeli soldiers posted videos from inside the hospital, turning it into a site for celebrations and comedic clips.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health condemned the attack, calling it part of Israel’s systematic destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system. The ministry stated that Israel is completing the “final phase of genocide” against Palestinians by erasing essential medical facilities.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have repeatedly bombed and besieged hospitals, killed medical staff, and blocked medical supplies. Despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, Israel has continued its assault with full U.S. support.
Human Rights Watch and other organizations classify Israel’s actions as violations of international humanitarian law. The Geneva Conventions prohibit attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals. Israel, however, claims it targeted Hamas militants inside the hospital, despite a lack of verifiable evidence.
Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza has killed or injured over 162,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. More than 14,000 remain missing under the rubble.
