Gaza Doctor’s Death Sparks Outrage: Family Alleges Targeted Israeli Airstrike
Gaza City – The death of Dr. Marwan al-Sultan, a leading cardiologist and director of Gaza’s Indonesian hospital, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with his family alleging that he was deliberately targeted in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday [1]. The airstrike on an apartment block in Gaza City also killed his wife, daughter, sister, and son-in-law, according to family reports.
Family Claims Airstrike Deliberately Targeted Dr. al-Sultan
Dr. al-Sultan’s children assert that the missile specifically struck the room where he was staying.His daughter, Lobna, stated that other rooms in the apartment remained intact, suggesting a targeted attack. Ahmed,his son,echoed this sentiment,stating there was “no other explanation” besides the Israeli military deliberately targeting his father [1].
Did You Know? According to Healthcare Worker Watch (HWW), Dr. al-Sultan was one of only two remaining heart specialists in gaza.
Photos and videos from the scene show damage concentrated on the fourth and fifth floors of the apartment block, where Dr. al-Sultan and his family were staying [1].
IDF Responds, Promises Review
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they were targeting a “key terrorist from the Hamas terrorist organisation” in the area and are reviewing the claim that uninvolved civilians were harmed. The IDF added that it “regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and operates to mitigate harm to them as much as possible” [1]. They also accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure for terrorist activities and using the civilian population as human shields.
Impact on Gaza’s Healthcare System
Dr.al-Sultan’s death further cripples Gaza’s already strained healthcare system. he was a leading figure in the medical community and his loss is described as a loss for the entire region [1]. His death means that all directors of hospitals in northern Gaza have either been killed or detained by Israeli military forces [1].
pro Tip: The targeting of healthcare workers in conflict zones is a violation of international law under the Geneva Conventions.
Rising Toll on Healthcare Workers
According to Healthcare Worker Watch, Dr. al-Sultan was the 70th healthcare worker killed by the Israeli military in the past 50 days. The UN reports that over 1,400 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war in October 2023 [1].
International Law and Healthcare Workers
The Geneva Conventions, a set of international laws governing the conduct of warring parties, mandates the protection of healthcare workers during conflict. Attacks on healthcare workers may constitute war crimes [1]. These conventions stipulate that medical professionals should not be targeted and must be allowed to provide care to those in need.
Key Figures in gaza Healthcare (July 2025)
| Position | name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Director, Indonesian Hospital | Dr. Marwan al-Sultan | Killed in Airstrike |
| Director, Kamal Adwan Hospital | Dr. Ahmed al-Kahlout | Detained by Israeli Forces |
| Acting Director, Kamal Adwan Hospital | Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya | Detained by Israeli Forces |
| Director, al-awda Hospital | Dr. Ahmed Muhanna | Detained by Israeli Forces |
What are the long-term consequences of the loss of experienced medical professionals in Gaza?
How can international organizations better protect healthcare workers in conflict zones?
