Palestinians Evacuate Hospital in Gaza as Conflict Continues
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a toll on the health sector in Gaza, with hospitals struggling to function amid the daily bombardments. The main hospital in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis has been isolated and has now begun evacuating patients and staff.
Devastation in Gaza’s Health Sector
The war between Israel and Hamas has devastated Gaza’s health sector, leaving less than half of its hospitals partially functioning. The constant bombardments have resulted in the deaths of several people inside the hospitals. Israel has accused militants of using hospitals and other civilian buildings as cover.
Khan Younis: A Target of the Offensive
Khan Younis is the main target of Israel’s rolling ground offensive, which is set to expand to Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah. With over half of the territory’s population crammed into tent camps and overflowing apartments and shelters, the situation is dire. The United States, along with Qatar and Egypt, has been working to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages.
Stalled Negotiations
Negotiations held in Cairo on Tuesday, attended by CIA chief William Burns and David Barnea, the head of Israel’s Mossad spy agency, did not yield any breakthroughs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his delegation not to return to the talks unless Hamas softens its demands. Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until “total victory” over Hamas and the return of all hostages.
Hamas’ Demands
Hamas has stated that it will not release all captives until Israel ends its offensive, withdraws from Gaza, and releases a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants. Netanyahu has rejected these demands, calling them “delusional.”
Escalation in Northern Israel
In northern Israel, a rocket attack wounded at least eight people when a projectile hit a home in the town of Safed. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon in response to the attack resulted in the deaths of four people, including a Syrian woman and her two Lebanese children. The risk of a wider conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, which supports Hamas, remains high.
Evacuation of Khan Younis Hospital
Videos shared by medics show Palestinians evacuating the Nasser Hospital complex in Khan Younis. Dozens of Palestinians are seen carrying their belongings in sacks and waving white flags. The Israeli military has opened a secure route for civilians to leave the hospital while allowing medics and patients to remain inside. The safety of civilians, patients, medical workers, and medical facilities is a priority for the troops.
Challenges Faced by Hospitals
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that Israeli snipers on surrounding buildings have been preventing people from entering or leaving the hospital. Over the past week, 10 people have been killed inside the complex, including three shot and killed on Tuesday. The hospital is currently treating around 450 patients, including those wounded in strikes, and providing shelter to 10,000 displaced people.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the deaths of over 28,576 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Additionally, more than 68,000 people have been wounded, with around 11,000 in need of urgent evacuation for treatment. Approximately 80% of Gaza’s population has been displaced from their homes, large areas have been destroyed, and a quarter of the population is facing starvation.
Conclusion
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, the health sector in Gaza is facing immense challenges. Hospitals are struggling to function amid constant bombardments, and the main hospital in Khan Younis has begun evacuating patients and staff. The international community, led by the United States, is working to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages. However, negotiations have stalled, and the situation remains dire for the people of Gaza.