Israeli military forces have reportedly launched a raid on al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, leading to casualties and injuries, according to Palestinian officials.
The Israeli military claims to be conducting a “precise operation” at the medical facility, alleging that Hamas is using it to plan attacks against Israel. Gaza’s Ministry of Health states that approximately 30,000 people, including civilians, patients, and medical staff, are trapped inside the complex.
Despite Israel’s assertion of conducting a humanitarian effort during the assault by providing food and water, reports suggest that Israeli forces ordered hundreds of people sheltering at the hospital to evacuate.
Footage verified by Al Jazeera shows Palestinians fleeing the hospital as Israeli operations intensify in the area. Palestinian journalist Wadea Abu Alsoud, trapped inside the complex, describes the situation as “catastrophic” with intense clashes ongoing.
This latest raid on al-Shifa Hospital marks the fourth such incident since October 7, with a previous siege in November drawing international outcry.
الجيش الإسرائيلي يجبر مئات العائلات على النزوح من مجمع الشفاء الطبي غربي مدينة غزة #حرب_غزة #فيديو pic.twitter.com/yxK9KQi2my
— الجزيرة فلسطين (@AJA_Palestine) March 18, 2024
The Government Media Office in Gaza condemned the operation, labeling it a “war crime” and accusing Israel of using fabricated narratives to justify the attack. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of conducting military operations from hospitals and other medical centers, a claim denied by the group.
The Health Ministry in Gaza reports receiving calls from individuals in the vicinity of the hospital, indicating dozens of casualties who couldn’t be transported due to the intensity of gunfire and artillery shelling. According to the UN, 155 health facilities in Gaza have been damaged since the onset of the conflict.
The ongoing violence exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation in the region, further jeopardizing the health and safety of civilians caught in the crossfire.
As tensions persist and violence escalates, the targeting of medical facilities raises concerns about the accessibility of healthcare for civilians in Gaza. The international community continues to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians, including medical personnel and facilities, in accordance with international law.
However, without a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the cycle of violence and suffering in Gaza shows no signs of abating, leaving countless lives hanging in the balance amidst the ongoing conflict.