Israel-Hamas Conflict Continues to Take Devastating Toll in Gaza
The ongoing Israeli assault in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has resulted in the largest hospital, al-Shifa, ceasing to function, as the World Health Organization (WHO) reports an increase in patient fatalities. The Al-Quds hospital is also out of service, with staff struggling to care for existing patients. Hospitals in the north of Gaza have been blockaded and are unable to provide proper care, as they are under intense Israeli assault, hampering access to vital resources such as medicine, food, and water.
Israeli forces claim their target is Palestinian Hamas militants who launched deadly attacks in southern Israel on October 7 and say that the group has command centers under and near the hospitals. The Israeli military has offered to evacuate newborn babies from the al-Shifa hospital but these humanitarian efforts have been blocked by Hamas.
The conflict has prompted outrage globally, and world leaders are calling for a ceasefire. The president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, has called for an immediate ceasefire and has urged an increase in humanitarian aid, ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington on Monday.
The conflict has also raised fears of a broader conflagration, with Iran-backed groups in the region engaging in missile attacks, and the United States carrying out air strikes in Syria against Iran-aligned groups.
The escalating violence and suffering in Gaza underscore the urgent call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian intervention. The international community must act swiftly to address the humanitarian crisis and bring relief to the people of Gaza.