Israel’s military closes in on Gaza’s largest hospital, as thousands are trapped amid intense bombardment and supplies run low
Thousands of people are currently stranded in Gaza’s largest hospital as Israel’s military surrounds the area, claiming the facility is being used as a Hamas command center.
The al-Shifa Hospital is under siege by Israeli forces, preventing ambulances from entering or leaving the premises. Medical supplies and food are quickly running out, leaving the trapped individuals in a dire situation.
According to Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, Israeli forces are attacking and destroying the hospital’s front gates, effectively trapping patients and many Palestinians inside the hospital grounds. This has made it impossible for ambulances to transport injured individuals to safety.
Additionally, Israeli snipers and artillery are targeting anyone who attempts to leave the area surrounding the hospital.
Despite the dangerous circumstances, the hospital’s staff has pledged to remain with the patients until the situation is resolved, as evacuating the hospital would result in the death of many patients, according to al-Shifa director Muhammad Abu Salmiya.
The escalating bombings are a direct result of an Israeli strike on the hospital, which led to the deaths of 13 people and serious injuries to others. Reports also indicate that Israeli tanks are closing in on at least four other hospitals in northern Gaza from all directions.
Marwan Jilani, director general of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, condemned Israel for their assaults on hospitals, stating that thousands of innocent lives are under imminent threat with no safe place to go. The World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, echoed his concerns, stressing the urgent need for protecting the safety of patients and health workers in Gaza.
We are extremely disturbed by reports of airstrikes in the vicinity of Al-Shifa hospital in #Gaza. Many health workers we were in contact with have been forced to leave the hospital in search of safety. Others report being unable to move due to grave insecurity. Many of the…
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) November 10, 2023
Amid the intensifying violence, Israel has accused the hospital of being used as a Hamas command center – an allegation that both the hospital staff and the armed group have vehemently denied.
Reports from Gaza health officials suggest that multiple hospitals in the region, including al-Nasr Medical Centre, al-Quds Hospital, and al-Rantisi Hospital, have been struck by Israeli forces. The World Health Organization has confirmed that half of Gaza’s hospitals are non-functional and two-thirds of its primary care facilities are out of commission due to the ongoing fighting.
The devastating impact of the Israel-Hamas war has resulted in over 11,000 Palestinian casualties, while Israeli officials have reported more than 1,200 civilian deaths from Hamas attacks on Israel. The situation remains dire with no immediate resolution in sight.
