In a recent development, the Israeli army has undertaken a targeted operation at Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility, where numerous patients, including newborns, find themselves stranded without electricity. The Israeli military extended its control over parts of Gaza City and the north, with Shifa Hospital becoming a symbol of the widespread civilian suffering.
According to Gaza’s Director of Hospitals, Mohammed Zaqout, Israeli tanks entered the medical compound, including vital departments like emergency and surgery. Zaqout described a harrowing situation with terrified patients, including children, expressing helplessness in the face of the occupation forces.
The Israeli military justified the operation, stating it was a “precise and targeted” effort against Hamas within a specified area of Shifa Hospital. Israeli soldiers reportedly entered with medical teams, bringing supplies and equipment, including incubators.
Israel has alleged that Shifa houses a substantial Hamas command center both inside and beneath the hospital. However, Hamas and hospital staff have consistently denied these claims, with no visual evidence provided by Israel.
Before the raid, the United States claimed to have intelligence suggesting that Hamas used Shifa and other hospitals to support military operations and hold hostages.
In response to the situation, Israel asserted that the forces raiding Shifa were also searching for hostages, concurrently claiming control over key buildings in Gaza City.
The conflict’s toll on civilians is evident, with over 11,200 people, predominantly women and minors, reported dead in Gaza. Two-thirds of the territory’s 2.3 million people have fled their homes, and about 2,700 individuals are reported missing, many believed to be buried under rubble.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) highlighted a critical fuel shortage in Gaza, announcing an imminent halt to relief operations. Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, emphasized the dire consequences, stating, “Without fuel, the humanitarian operation in Gaza is coming to an end. Many more people will suffer and will likely die.”
