Aya Batraoui

But there was fighting around the hospital, which is located in the heart of Bitlahia in northern Gaza. And Kumail Adwen suddenly found itself on the front lines of this war. It's water tanks, generators, ICU and other departments directly hit by Israeli fire. Even a young patient inside was wounded in the operating room.

But there was fighting around the hospital, which is located in the heart of Bitlahia in northern Gaza. And Kumail Adwen suddenly found itself on the front lines of this war. It's water tanks, generators, ICU and other departments directly hit by Israeli fire. Even a young patient inside was wounded in the operating room.

But there was fighting around the hospital, which is located in the heart of Bitlahia in northern Gaza. And Kumail Adwen suddenly found itself on the front lines of this war. It's water tanks, generators, ICU and other departments directly hit by Israeli fire. Even a young patient inside was wounded in the operating room.

Staff and patients were among those killed and wounded at and around the hospital. You can hear the hospital here under fire.

Staff and patients were among those killed and wounded at and around the hospital. You can hear the hospital here under fire.

Staff and patients were among those killed and wounded at and around the hospital. You can hear the hospital here under fire.

And Dr. Abu Safiya was also among those wounded in these strikes, and his son was killed at the hospital's gates. And why does Israel say it needed to shut down this hospital?

And Dr. Abu Safiya was also among those wounded in these strikes, and his son was killed at the hospital's gates. And why does Israel say it needed to shut down this hospital?

And Dr. Abu Safiya was also among those wounded in these strikes, and his son was killed at the hospital's gates. And why does Israel say it needed to shut down this hospital?

Israel says this hospital was being used by Hamas, and that in this operation and raid that shut down the hospital, they arrested 240 people they're accusing of being militants in the area, some of whom they say, they believe, were involved in the October 7th attack last year on Israel that sparked this war.

Israel says this hospital was being used by Hamas, and that in this operation and raid that shut down the hospital, they arrested 240 people they're accusing of being militants in the area, some of whom they say, they believe, were involved in the October 7th attack last year on Israel that sparked this war.

Israel says this hospital was being used by Hamas, and that in this operation and raid that shut down the hospital, they arrested 240 people they're accusing of being militants in the area, some of whom they say, they believe, were involved in the October 7th attack last year on Israel that sparked this war.

Israel describes this raid as swift and covert, but among those detained is the director of the hospital, Dr. Abel Safaya. They say they're holding him for potential involvement with Hamas.

Israel describes this raid as swift and covert, but among those detained is the director of the hospital, Dr. Abel Safaya. They say they're holding him for potential involvement with Hamas.

Israel describes this raid as swift and covert, but among those detained is the director of the hospital, Dr. Abel Safaya. They say they're holding him for potential involvement with Hamas.

But groups like the UN's World Health Organization, Amnesty International, and others are calling for his immediate release and the release of hundreds of medics detained in this war, saying they're really concerned about their safety and treatment in detention.

But groups like the UN's World Health Organization, Amnesty International, and others are calling for his immediate release and the release of hundreds of medics detained in this war, saying they're really concerned about their safety and treatment in detention.

But groups like the UN's World Health Organization, Amnesty International, and others are calling for his immediate release and the release of hundreds of medics detained in this war, saying they're really concerned about their safety and treatment in detention.

Now, it's also important to note that NPR has reached out to staff at the hospital in past weeks and months of this offensive, and they told us Hamas was not using the hospital for cover or operations. In fact, Dr. Abel Sofaya and others had been sheltering with their families in the hospital for safety.

Now, it's also important to note that NPR has reached out to staff at the hospital in past weeks and months of this offensive, and they told us Hamas was not using the hospital for cover or operations. In fact, Dr. Abel Sofaya and others had been sheltering with their families in the hospital for safety.