North Gaza: “We are witnessing Palestinian life being wiped from the area”

“As if a nuclear bomb hit the area”

Mustafa Hassan Abu Hamada and his family were living in Jabalia camp in northern Gaza during a recent brutal siege by Israeli forces that has left the area completely destroyed, and killed and injured countless civilians, including MSF staff. 

“People in front of us tried to escape at the Al-Awda junction, but they were shot at,” said Mustafa. “We were forced to return. We said, ‘Let us die in our homes.’ I would rather die in my house than be displaced.” 

In northern Gaza, the Israeli military has been carrying out a ground offensive since October 6, 2024. This ongoing military offensive is a clear illustration of the brutal war Israeli forces are waging on Gaza. We are witnessing Palestinian life being wiped from the area.

“When the Israeli forces arrived, we stayed for an hour or two before shells started raining down on us from all directions,” said Sabah Al-Sharawi, who was sheltering in her home in Beit Hanoun when it was targeted by an airstrike. “The first shell came through the living room,” she explained. “It hit my legs—both of my legs. They took us to Kamal Adwan Hospital.”

Sabah recounted horrific scenes on the way to the hospital: “We saw bodies lying everywhere. Dogs were gnawing at them. Drones were hovering above us, and a helicopter circled overhead.”

She was evacuated from Kamal Adwan to Gaza City, where she is now displaced and receiving treatment for her wounds at the MSF clinic. 

“I buried my daughter and left,” she said. “I didn’t even see her one last time. I didn’t see my daughter. I didn’t see my loved ones. I left without seeing anyone.” 

Cut off from health care access

In addition to the relentless destruction, the offensive has left thousands of people without access to food, water, or health care in northern Gaza. The effects of these conditions are devastating, especially on elderly people, children, and people with special needs, including those with disabilities. 

The health infrastructure across Gaza has been decimated by more than 15 months of war, especially in the north. Hospitals have been subject to sieges and violent incursions and many medical staff have been detained, including one MSF staff member. Since January 9, there has not been a single functional hospital in northern Gaza left for people in need of medical care. In addition, no MSF supply trucks have been allowed by Israeli authorities to enter the north since November 21, 2024. As a result, people with medical conditions, including serious war wounds, have had almost no access to medical care. 

The untenable situation in northern Gaza has forced many people to risk their lives and flee to Gaza City. Our teams at the Gaza City clinic have seen a surge of patients in need of medical care. We provided more than 1,400 consultations per week in the two months following the start of the escalation in the north—more than double the number we were seeing each week before. We’re also seeing more burn injuries. 

“Honestly, this situation is unprecedented,” said Mohammed Wadi, MSF deputy medical coordinator in Gaza. “I am 40 years old and throughout my life I have never seen such a level of aggression or conflict. It is a war that has annihilated many aspects of life. Drinking water is not available. Food, unfortunately, is not sufficiently available. This is extremely heartbreaking … It’s a sight that cannot be described.”