Thousands Flee After Strikes Hit Gaza Hospital
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Thousands of Palestinians fled from Gaza City’s main hospital after a series of strikes, blamed on Israel, hit several hospitals overnight. The strikes came as part of the intensified fighting, leading to a growing exodus of people toward the south. Gaza officials reported that the Palestinian death toll from the war has surpassed 11,000 people.
Following Israel’s announcement of a safe passage window, thousands of Palestinians fled south. However, the search for safety in the besieged enclave has grown increasingly desperate. Tens of thousands who fled south in the past few days face ongoing bombardment and dire conditions.
The overnight strikes in northern Gaza underscored the danger for tens of thousands of people who had crowded in and around hospitals, believing they would be safe. Gaza medical officials accused Israel of striking near four hospitals, while Israel claimed at least one strike was the result of a misfired Palestinian rocket.
One of the hospitals affected was Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest, where tens of thousands of people are sheltering. Israel has alleged that Hamas hides in and under hospitals, with government officials claiming that a command center is beneath Shifa. These claims have been denied by the militant group and hospital staff.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that the hospital strikes resulted in several deaths and numerous injuries. While Israel stated that one strike may have been a misfire, the Ministry noted that a pediatric hospital providing life-saving care to children was also no longer functioning.
Efforts have been made to evacuate those within the hospitals, but the lack of resources and the ongoing bombardment have resulted in a desperate situation for those seeking refuge.
As the death toll continues to rise and the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the conflict in Gaza has taken a heavy toll on civilians. The mass exodus of the Palestinian population, along with the continued attacks, has created a dire and desperate situation for those remaining in the area.