Israeli forces take control of Gaza’s largest hospital, forcing hundreds to evacuate
By: [Journalist Name]
Date: [Insert current date]
On Saturday, Israeli forces took control of Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, leading to a mass evacuation of patients, staff, and displaced people. The exodus left only a skeleton crew to care for those too sick to move, according to health officials. The World Health Organization described the situation at Al-Shifa as a “death zone” and called for a complete evacuation of the hospital.
The Israeli military raided the hospital complex earlier in the week and has continued to search it floor by floor, room by room for Hamas fighters and any evidence of an alleged underground Hamas command center. However, U.S. officials stated that they also have evidence of a Hamas command center, something that the hospital staff and the military group deny.
Israeli forces were reported to have scanned, searched, and taken away some men among those evacuating from the hospital. Some were reported to have been evacuated at gunpoint, with tanks and snipers surrounding the hospital inside and out. However, the military mentioned that they had been asked by the hospital’s director to help those who wanted to leave by a secure route.
Despite the evacuation, about 120 patients who are unable to leave, including individuals in intensive care and premature babies, remain in the hospital. The health ministry in Gaza claimed that the Israeli military ordered the facility to be cleared within an hour, forcing the evacuation. While some managed to leave the hospital, many more remain on-site with no clear guidance on where to go.
Additionally, a telecommunications blackout across the Gaza Strip had prevented the United Nations from coordinating critical humanitarian aid deliveries. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the dispatch of two fuel trucks a day to Gaza to prevent the outbreak of disease. The blackout was lifted on Saturday, ending the UN’s logistical disruptions.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has seen hundreds of deaths, primarily of civilians, and an estimated 240 individuals abducted by Hamas. The crisis has also led to an increase in civilian casualties from Israeli strikes, including women and children. The violence has prompted international calls for an end to the conflict, with the need for a two-state solution emphasized by U.S. President Joe Biden in a recent op-ed.
The devastating impact of the conflict is evident, with eyewitnesses reporting dozens killed in an Israeli airstrike that hit a U.N. shelter in the Jabaliya refugee camp, leading to the destruction of the Fakhoura school. In southern Gaza, another Israeli airstrike hit a residential building, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 Palestinians.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, has declared that the country’s military operations will expand to eastern Gaza City while simultaneously targeting western areas. The offensive is aimed at minimizing civilian casualties while targeting Hamas and its combat operations.
The escalation in violence reflects the ongoing challenges in the region, raising concerns about the welfare of the civilian population. As the conflict continues, international efforts to end the violence and reach a peaceful resolution are crucial to prevent further human suffering.