On December 28, 2024, Israeli forces confirmed the detention of 240 individuals during a military operation at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. The operation involved the evacuation of patients and medical staff, alongside the destruction of several hospital departments. Among those arrested was the hospital director, Dr. Husam Abu Safiya, identified by Israeli authorities as a Hamas operative.
The Israeli military stated that the detainees included members of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, with some attempting to disguise themselves as patients to escape. Israeli officials claimed that the hospital was being used as a command center for military operations, despite warnings against using hospitals for such purposes. Prior to the operation, 95 individuals were evacuated from the hospital, with many transferred to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which had been rendered inoperable due to previous attacks.
In a separate incident, on December 27, 2024, airstrikes targeted military sites in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, reportedly carried out by U.S. forces in response to Houthi missile attacks. The strikes hit key military installations, including the Maintenance Camp and the First Armored Division's former camp. Local residents reported hearing loud explosions and seeing flames and smoke rising from the sites.
The Israeli media suggested that the airstrikes in Sana'a were likely American, while Houthi officials condemned the assaults as acts of aggression. Following the strikes, a significant protest occurred in Sana'a, where thousands gathered to voice their opposition to Israel, carrying weapons and banners. The Houthis claimed responsibility for launching missiles and drones towards Israel, including an attack on Ben Gurion Airport.
Additionally, the World Health Organization reported that a United Nations staff member injured in the airstrike on Sana'a's airport was evacuated to Jordan for further treatment. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need to protect civilians and humanitarian workers amid ongoing conflicts.