TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahiya, North Gaza, was struck by Israeli forces on May 18, 2025. As reported by Al Jazeera, 55 individuals remain trapped inside the facility, including four doctors and eight nurses.
The latest assault involved drone strikes, accompanied by Israeli ground attacks in both northern and southern parts of Gaza. Due to the ongoing siege by Israeli military forces, the Indonesian Hospital was forced to shut down and cease all medical operations.
"There is direct targeting on the hospital including the intensive care unit," said Dr. Marwan al-Sultan, director of the Indonesian Hospital. He added that no one has been able to access the facility, which houses approximately 30 patients and 15 medical staff.
The Indonesian Hospital was the last fully functioning public hospital in northern Gaza, following the closures of Kamal Adwan Hospital and Beit Hanoun Hospital. With its shutdown, no public hospitals remain operational in the region.
Why Are Hospitals Being Targeted?
Throughout the 19-month conflict in Gaza, hospitals have repeatedly come under Israeli attack. Human rights organizations and UN-affiliated experts have accused Israel of intentionally targeting healthcare infrastructure in the enclave.
On April 13, 2025, the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital was attacked during Israel’s military push into southern Gaza, shortly after it had violated the March ceasefire. The attack was part of Israel’s expanded operations, according to Al Jazeera.
Israel justifies these strikes by claiming that Hamas operatives are using hospital grounds as cover, an allegation it has yet to substantiate with clear evidence. These repeated strikes have devastated Gaza’s healthcare system, often involving large-scale weaponry, including 2,000-pound U.S.-made bombs.
A report from the UN Human Rights Office, released on December 31, 2024, detailed the impact of Israel’s repeated assaults on medical facilities
It documented at least 136 attacks on 27 hospitals and 12 additional healthcare sites, resulting in the deaths of medical staff and civilians, and causing extensive or complete destruction to vital infrastructure.
The report concluded that this ongoing pattern of violence has pushed Gaza's healthcare system to the verge of collapse, severely limiting Palestinians' access to critical medical care.
The humanitarian organization MER-C (Medical Emergency Rescue Committee) condemned the recent Israeli strike on the Indonesian Hospital, stating it caused significant structural damage and paralyzed healthcare operations.
"The condition of the hospital is concerning. The window panes are shattered and the ceiling has collapsed on the floor, disrupting various critical medical services in the intensive care unit, emergency installation, and operating rooms," MER-C reported in a statement describing the attack on both the Indonesian Hospital and the nearby Joserizal House.
MER-C also noted that the bombing by Israeli forces created a shockwave so powerful it felt like an earthquake to nearby residents, worsening the damage inside the hospital.
The organization emphasized that deliberate and unannounced attacks on medical personnel and facilities constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law.
It urged Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza, avoid further damage to the Indonesian Hospital, and lift the blockade to allow essential aid and medical assistance to reach healthcare workers.
Siti Planasari and Ida Rosdalina contributed to the writing of this article.
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