The Noor Al-Kaabi Dialysis Hospital is the only kidney treatment center in the northern Gaza Strip. Since October 7, 2023, all Gazan healthcare facilities, including specialized centers, have been besieged, attacked, occupied as military bases, and destroyed—both the buildings and medical equipment—by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops. IDF soldiers have been documenting these actions themselves. These military assaults and occupations are undeniably war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law.

War Crime Classification:

Hospitals and medical facilities are protected under the Fourth Geneva Convention and Additional Protocol I (Articles 12 and 18). They must not be targeted in armed conflict.

Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Article 8), intentionally directing attacks against hospitals, medical units, and staff not being used for military purposes is a war crime.

Even if a hospital is near a military target, it cannot be attacked unless the military advantage outweighs the civilian harm, which is rarely the case.

Besieging or occupying hospitals, cutting off medical access, or using them for military purposes violates IHL and may constitute collective punishment or inhuman treatment—both prohibited under international law.

(A hospital loses its protection only if it is being used to commit harmful acts (e.g., hiding weapons or combatants) and after due warning has been given. Even then, proportionality and distinction must be respected.)

Chronology of the events

February 2021:

Official opening of the Noor Al-Kaabi Dialysis Hospital in Beit Lahia, North Gaza

Around 21 Nov. 2023:

The Israeli military first entered the area around 21 Nov. 2023 as shown by geolocations. Footage later shows that IDF soldiers wrote inciting or dedication phrases on the walls. In one of the attached photos, the phrase in Hebrew reads: "Greetings from Haim Ezran", and in the other photo: "Greetings from the Seviv family and Ezran."

November 29, 2023:

Gaza Health Ministry: the reopening of the center and resumption of the dialysis operations at the 'Noura Al-Kaabi' Kidney Dialysis Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip. link

May-June 2024:

The Israeli military is using the Noura Kaabi Dialysis Hospital in the Jabalia Refugee Camp as a military base and operational center amid the ongoing invasion. This is the second hospital that they hide behind, following Tika Hospital in Netzarim.

Augustus 2024:

Restoration of the hospital after the withdrawal of the Israeli troops.

September 2024-January 2025

Ground invasion, occupation and siege of the North of Gaza. Massive forced displacement, arrest, kill zone and urbicide.

February 5, 2025:

During the ceasefire, Anadolou footage shows the huge destruction (arson, walls and Dialysis machine shot by gunfire,...) Inside the Noora Al Kaabi Dialysis Hospital.

April 17, 2025:

Resumption of operations at the 'Noura Al-Kaabi' Kidney Dialysis Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip.