Gaza Hospital Faces Crisis After Israeli Raid
There is growing concern over the state of a key hospital in the Gaza Strip following a raid by the Israeli army. The Nasser hospital in the southern city of Khan Yunis has been left without power and generators after the raid, resulting in the deaths of five patients due to a lack of oxygen. The hospital is one of the few remaining major medical facilities still operational in the Hamas-run territory.
Israeli forces claimed that they had taken more than 20 suspected terrorists into custody at the hospital, who were believed to be involved in a recent attack by Hamas. However, there has been no evidence found to support these claims. Witnesses have reported that Israeli forces shot at anyone who moved inside the hospital, raising concerns for the safety of patients and staff.
The chaotic situation at the Nasser hospital has forced medical charity Doctors Without Borders to flee, leaving patients behind. One employee is unaccounted for, while another has been detained by Israeli forces. The UN Human Rights Office has condemned Israel’s raid on the hospital, stating that it is part of a pattern of attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,160 people, mostly civilians. Israel has accused Hamas militants of using hospitals for military purposes, a claim that Hamas denies. The World Health Organization is attempting to gain access to the Nasser hospital to assess the situation and provide much-needed fuel.
Meanwhile, the situation for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, is dire. Nearly 1.5 million Palestinians are trapped in makeshift encampments with declining supplies. Mohammad Yaghi, a displaced Palestinian, expressed his frustration, stating that they are “dying slowly” due to the scarcity of resources and lack of medications.
US President Joe Biden has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to carry out an offensive on Rafah without a plan to protect civilians. Several other countries, including France, Britain, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, have also called on Israel to refrain from launching a ground offensive in the city. However, Netanyahu remains determined to achieve “complete victory” over Hamas.
In the midst of the conflict, mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have gathered in Cairo to broker a deal to halt the fighting and secure the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas. Talks have been held between the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and representatives from the CIA, Egypt, and Qatar. However, there has been limited progress, with no new proposals from Hamas and Israeli media reporting that Israel’s delegation will not return to negotiations until Hamas softens its stance.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with hospitals facing a crisis and displaced Palestinians struggling to survive. The international community continues to call for an end to the violence and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. As the world watches, the fate of Gaza hangs in the balance.