Thousands of Palestinians fled from around Gaza City’s primary hospital after overnight Israeli strikes hit several hospitals. The exodus is part of a growing movement of individuals toward safety in the south as fighting intensifies and the Gaza Palestinian death toll surpasses 11,000.
There is a search for safety in the besieged region, and the flight south has become increasingly desperate for many. Recent overnight attacks in northern Gaza highlight the danger for those gathered in and around hospitals, as they seek refuge amidst the chaos of war.
Early Friday, Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest, was struck. Tens of thousands of people had sought shelter there, and according to Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson at the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, the courtyard and obstetrics department were hit. A video from the scene captured the chaos and suffering of those affected by the attack.
Hamas has been accused of using hospitals for military purposes by the Israeli army. Meanwhile, families at hospitals such as Shifa are desperately seeking safety, but are faced with severely overcrowded and ill-equipped spaces, presenting dire conditions with limited resources.
International organizations have voiced concerns about the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, with many hospitals no longer fully functioning due to interruptions in basic services and medical care. The rising death toll and evacuation of thousands of residents indicate the extreme challenges faced by both Palestinian civilians and militant forces in this ongoing conflict.
