Israel destroys only dialysis centre in North Gaza

Express Tribune

5 days ago

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Israeli forces have destroyed the only kidney dialysis centre in northern Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The Noura al-Kaabi Kidney Dialysis Centre, located in Beit Lahiya and part of the Indonesian Hospital, was reportedly serving over 160 patients suffering from kidney failure.
Health officials say this is the second time in recent weeks the facility has been attacked. The centre had only recently resumed operations following earlier damage.
Footage published by Muneer al-Bursh, director general at the Gaza Health Ministry, showed Israeli bulldozers at the site.
بعد أن تم ترميمه وإعادة افتتاحه قبل أسابيع لخدمة مرضى الغسيل الكلوي، حيث إنه المركز الوحيد لغسيل الكلى في مدينة غزة ومحافظة الشمال، والذي كان يخدم أكثر من 160 مريضًا بالفشل الكلوي في شمال القطاع، ورغم أنه كان يعمل وسط صعوبات نقص الوقود واللوازم الطبية، قام الاحتلال الإسرائيلي… pic.twitter.com/Aa1m3zxhC4 — Dr.Muneer Alboursh د.منيرالبرش (@Dr_Muneer1) June 1, 2025
"The destruction of the centre has left hundreds without access to life-saving treatment," al-Bursh said.
The Health Ministry reports that 41 percent of kidney failure patients in Gaza have died during the war due to the destruction of dialysis units and restricted access to treatment.
Israeli authorities have not commented on the incident.
READ: Israeli strikes kill at least 32, wound 136 in Gaza
According to Al Jazeera, at least 36 hospitals across the Gaza Strip have been bombed, raided, or besieged by Israeli forces—actions that human rights groups warn may constitute war crimes under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
Among the most severe incidents was the bombing of Al-Ahli Hospital in October, where hundreds of displaced civilians were killed while sheltering in the car park. Hospital staff had reportedly received prior warnings from Israeli authorities.
In November, Israeli air strikes on Al-Awda Hospital killed three doctors, including two from Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The hospital was later raided, and senior physician Dr Adnan Al Bursh was arrested. He later died in Israeli custody, according to medical officials.
The Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Gaza's largest hospital, was stormed twice—first in November and again in March—leaving at least 47 dead and the facility inoperable. After the second raid, UN teams discovered three mass graves nearby, with more than 80 bodies recovered.
Nasser Medical Complex was besieged for over a week in February, with at least eight patients dying due to lack of care, and dozens killed as they approached the facility. Israeli forces later bombed the hospital's emergency department and a nearby media tent, causing further casualties.
Kamal Adwan Hospital was also stormed in December. At least 20 Palestinians were killed, and more than 240 people—including hospital director Dr Hussam Abu Safia—were arrested.
Israeli officials have defended the operations, claiming that Hamas fighters use hospitals for military purposes. These claims have been contested by international observers and humanitarian groups.
Moreover, Israeli military has demolished more than 240 residential units in the Gaza Strip in recent days, intensifying a systematic campaign to displace civilians and destroy communities, the Gaza government's media office reported on Sunday.
Gaza Media Office Director General Ismail al-Thawabta told Anadolu that the intensified targeting of residential buildings reflects Israel's "scorched-earth policy aimed at emptying cities, destroying livelihoods, and creating widespread fear and societal shock."
'This criminal behavior shows a premeditated intent to expand genocide and enforce forced displacement of unarmed civilians,' he said.
The destroyed units housed entire families, including children, women, and the elderly, with no military targets present, contrary to Israeli claims, al-Thawabta asserted.
He urged the international community to act immediately to halt 'this ongoing bloody madness in Gaza.'
READ MORE: 31 dead in Israeli gunfire near aid site
Furthermore, United States ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has sharply criticised France's support for Palestinian statehood, suggesting Paris could offer its own territory if it feels so strongly about the cause.
Speaking to Fox News, Huckabee said France's backing of a Palestinian state was 'incredibly inappropriate' while Israel was 'in the midst of a war'.
'If France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state,' he said, 'I've got a suggestion for them — carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state.'
Israel's war on Gaza
The total death toll from Israel's war on Gaza has risen to 54,418 killed and 124,190 injured since October 7, 2023, the ministry said, Al Jazeera reported.
Israel has killed 4,149 Palestinians and injured 12,149 since breaking two-month-old ceasefire on March 18 this year.
Israel's atrocities have displaced around 90% of Gaza's estimated 2 million residents, created a severe hunger crisis, and caused widespread destruction across the territory.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.