WHO reports Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza is ‘no longer functioning’
Health officials and people inside Gaza’s largest hospital have rejected Israel’s claims that it was helping babies and others evacuate. The facility continues to face fighting just outside its doors, leaving incubators idle and critical supplies running out.
The World Health Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced on the X social media platform that Shifa has been without water for three days and is no longer functioning as a hospital. Several humanitarian groups are unable to reach the hospital.
Unfortunately, the last generator ran out of fuel, leading to the deaths of premature babies and other patients, with 36 babies now at risk of dying, according to the WHO. Israel’s military did provide fuel for an emergency generator, but it is not enough to keep it running for more than an hour, according to a Health Ministry spokesperson.
Showcasing a precise illustration of the complex political and humanitarian situation, Israeli military Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted to social media the detailed findings from the raids on the outskirts of al-Shati camp in the Gaza Strip. While the claims have not been officially verified, the photos and descriptions included combat weapons, underground tunnels, and extensive explosive materials found in significant authoritarian institutions within the civilian population.
In the wake of the tragic situation at Gaza’s hospitals, the UN reported that two major hospitals in northern Gaza have closed to new patients due to Israeli airstrikes. Staff members are struggling without oxygen, medical supplies, and fuel to power incubators. Flags flew at half-mast at United Nations compounds to honor colleagues killed in the conflict.
The Syrian crisis also looms large, with the United States targeting two Iran-linked sites in response to attacks on American forces. This is the third time the US military has launched strikes in Syria, aiming to deter attacks against its troops in the region.
Amidst the chaos, stories of personal tragedy continue to emerge. The death from Israeli air strikes of Palestinian artist Heba Zagout, along with two of her children, paints a picture of the human suffering in the region, adding a heart-wrenching layer to the ongoing conflict.
