Gaza Strip, May 18, 2025 — All public hospitals in northern Gaza have been rendered non-operational, according to a statement released Sunday by the Hamas-run health ministry, as Israel intensifies its military offensive in the region.
The ministry reported that Israeli forces have encircled the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia—the last functioning public hospital in the north—subjecting it to heavy fire. It claimed the bombardment has prevented the movement of patients, medical personnel, and essential supplies into the facility.
The statement further confirmed the closure of two other key medical centers in recent days: Beit Hanoun Hospital and Kamal Adwan Hospital. With the Indonesian Hospital now “out of service,” the health ministry declared that “all public hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip are now out of service.”
The latest developments come in the wake of Israel’s newly launched “Operation Gideon’s Chariot,” which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday. The operation marks one of the deadliest escalations in months, with intensified air and ground strikes across the Gaza Strip.
In parallel with the military campaign, a senior Palestinian official told the BBC that Hamas has proposed the release of nine hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners. The new terms reportedly emerged from negotiations held on Saturday, though no confirmation has been provided by Israeli officials.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with international aid agencies warning of a looming medical crisis. The lack of operational hospitals in the north raises critical concerns about the treatment of the wounded and chronically ill.
Israel has not publicly responded to the health ministry’s claims. However, in past statements, Israeli officials have maintained that military operations target Hamas infrastructure and are conducted with efforts to minimize civilian harm.
As the conflict intensifies, calls for an urgent ceasefire and expanded humanitarian corridors are growing louder from the international community.
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