IDF captures over 240 terrorists, incl. hospital director, during raid on northern Gaza hospital

Israeli troops captured over 240 terrorists during a targeted operation in the area of the Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, the IDF stated on Saturday.

The operation gained considerable media scrutiny in international news outlets as it targeted the last operational hospital in northern Gaza, and captured hospital staff, including its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya.

The Israeli military said the operation was conducted after intelligence information indicated that Hamas had rehabilitated the hospital area as a terror stronghold in recent months, following earlier IDF raids in the area.

Defense Minister Israel Katz congratulated the IDF for the operation in a post on 𝕏, vowing that “Israel will continue to act, following international law, to thwart terrorism, promote the release of the kidnapped and ensure the peace of the settlements and the citizens of Israel.”

Army Radio reported that this was the highest number of terrorists captured in a single day since the start of the war. Of the approximately 500 people who were inside the compound, almost half turned out to be Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists.

Citing military intelligence, Army Radio reported that the operation was highly unusual in that it managed to detain a high number of “serious” terrorists, meaning not helpers or affiliates, but fighters of the terror groups’ military arms.

The hospital area was surrounded by soldiers of the 401st Armored Brigade, while special forces of the Shayetet 13 Naval Commando unit raided the compound, finding grenades, guns, ammunition and other military equipment.

Some of the terrorists tried to pose as patients and medical staff, while others tried to escape in ambulances, the IDF added.

Detainees include members of Hamas’ engineering and anti-tank units, as well as around 15 terrorists who took an active role in the Oct. 7 invasion and massacre.

Multiple Palestinian media outlets refer to Abu Safiya as a Colonel in the Gaza Strip's Military Medical Services. pic.twitter.com/xBqhzOUp4J
— Eitan Fischberger (@EFischberger) December 27, 2024

Among those detained was Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who the IDF stated is suspected of being a Hamas terrorist. According to independent journalist Eitan Fishberger, Abu Safiya has, in the past, been referred to as a colonel in the Gaza Strip's Military Medical Services, which are controlled by Hamas, according to Palestinian news outlets.

In addition, Palestinian sources, including Hamas’ own Medical Services, referred to the hospital as a “Military Medical Complex,” indicating it was closely integrated into Hamas infrastructure.

“This is what you probably won’t hear about what happened before and during our operation in the Hamas command center embedded in the Kamal Adwan hospital,” IDF International Spokesman Lt.-Col. Nadav Shoshani wrote on 𝕏.

“Before IDF operations inside the hospital, 350 patients, as well as caregivers and medical personnel, were evacuated to other hospitals, in coordination with COGAT. Tens of thousands of liters of fuel, food, and medical supplies for the essential functioning of the hospital were also delivered to the Hospital over this period.”

“Once operations began 95 patients, caregivers, and medical personnel were evacuated to the Indonesian Hospital in coordination with local officials in the health authorities. 5,000 liters of fuel, two generators, and medical equipment were delivered to the Indonesian Hospital. Additionally, hundreds of civilians were able to move away from the area for their own safety via defined evacuation routes,” Shoshani added.