In a recent development, Israeli forces instructed the evacuation of Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital within the next hour, as reported by AFP. The directive was given to the hospital’s director, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, urging the removal of patients, wounded individuals, displaced residents, and medical staff, with instructions to move towards the seafront on foot.
This order follows Israeli troops’ search of the hospital for potential Hamas hideouts, claiming to have discovered a Hamas tunnel shaft and a vehicle with weapons within the complex. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) released a video purportedly showing a tunnel entrance in an outdoor area of the hospital, though its authenticity remains unverified.
Al-Shifa hospital, facing operational challenges, has become a focal point in the prolonged Israel-Hamas conflict, now entering its seventh week. The Hamas health ministry reported numerous deaths at the hospital due to power cuts caused by fuel shortages. Despite previous evacuation calls from Israel, medical professionals argue that moving patients is not feasible.
According to the United Nations, approximately 2,300 patients, staff, and displaced individuals sought shelter at the hospital before Israeli troops entered on Wednesday. A doctor from Al Shifa hospital voiced concerns on Friday about depleting food and water supplies, describing the assistance from the Israeli military as “very minimal” and insufficient to meet the needs of the people in the area.
As tensions persist, the situation at Al-Shifa hospital underscores the challenges faced by healthcare facilities in conflict zones, with civilians caught in the crossfire and grappling with dire humanitarian conditions.
