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For the third day in a row, the Israeli armyÌýtightened its blockade and continued attacks on the Kamal AdwanÌýHospital in the north of Gaza, causing panic and fear among the patients and medical staff. Ìý

About 91 persons, including patients and medical staff, are still stuck inside the hospital without knowing what will happen to them if the Israeli army decides to storm the facility.Ìý

"For more than two months, the Israeli army deliberately attacked parts of the hospital while attacking the nearby sites to force us to evacuate," Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of the hospital, said to °®Âþµº. "What made matters worse was that the Israeli army attacked units inside the hospital, which threatened the lives of the patients and medical staff."Ìý

Earlier on Monday, Israeli drones dropped bombs on the hospital's grounds and roof, threatening fuel and oxygen supplies, according to Abu Safiya.Ìý

This latest assault follows a horrific night when Abu Safiya lived with patients as the Israeli army tanks and bulldozers suddenly approached the hospital's western gate and unleashed a heavy hail of bullets.Ìý

"We did not know where we should hide from the heavy fire […] We evacuated the patients to the corridors of the hospital, but the heavy explosions around us pushed us to feel the [Israeli] army would definitely attack the hospital and kill us," Abu Safiya said.Ìý

The Israeli bullets penetrated the intensive care unit, the maternity ward, and the specialised surgery department, the hospital director noted.Ìý

Meanwhile, the Israeli army also targeted one of the generators, taking out of service due to the fire, and the Israeli army also attempted to target the fuel tank amidst continuous shelling of surrounding homes and buildings, Abu Safiya added.Ìý

Extremely dangerous situation

On Saturday, the Israeli army ordered Abu Safiya to evacuate the hospital from the patients and medical staff immediately. "The situation was complicated, and I refused to abide by the Israeli orders," heÌýstressed.Ìý

Since 5 October, the Israeli forces invaded the northern Gaza Strip, unleashing indiscriminate bombings and prevented the entry of food, water, and medicines. Israel still persists in committing crimes of genocide and ethnic cleansing in the town of Beit Lahia, according to eyewitnesses in the area.Ìý

Kamal Adwan Hospital is one of the last refuges for the sick and wounded Palestinians in northern Gaza andÌýone of the few hospitals still partially functioning in the northern Gaza Strip, an area that has been under Israeli siege for nearly three months in one of the most brutal operations of the 14-month-old war.Ìý

"The situation in the hospital has become extremely dangerous as the Israeli occupation continues to bomb the place from all directions," Abu Safiya explained. "We are facing a constant threat every day. The bombing continues from all directions, affecting the building, departments and staff. This is a hazardous and terrifying situation."Ìý

Noting the Israeli bombing of the hospital has not stopped since yesterday, the hospital directed further added, "The world must understand that our hospital is being targeted with the intent to kill and forcibly displace."

Despite this assault, the medical staff inside the hospital are adamant about performing their medical and humanitarian duty, and are refusing to comply with the Israeli army's multiple orders to evacuate its buildings and leave the governorate entirely.