Israeli Forces Open Fire at Hospital Rooms in Gaza Strip
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza has reported that Israeli forces have opened fire at hospital rooms, raising concerns for the safety of 12 children in pediatric care. The ministry’s spokesman, Ashraf Al-Qudra, stated that the Israeli occupation forces have tightened the siege and targeted Kamal Adwan hospital by firing at patient rooms and courtyards. This alarming situation has led to fears of the death of 12 children who are already deprived of milk and lack life support equipment.
The Israeli army has not provided an immediate comment on these allegations, and independent confirmation of the situation at the hospital is currently unavailable. However, on Tuesday, Qudra stated that Israeli forces had stormed the Kamal Adwan hospital and were rounding up men in the courtyard. The United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA also reported that two mothers were killed when the maternity department of the hospital was allegedly hit.
In the latest statement, Qudra revealed that Israeli forces had detained the hospital director, Ahmed Al-Kahlot, and other staff members who were subjected to torture and deprived of food and drink. Although some of them were later released, the situation remains dire. Qudra further added that Israeli forces were also targeting Al-Awda hospital and tightening the siege by depriving it of water, food, and electricity. Additionally, they were preventing the wounded and sick from reaching the hospital.
This is not the first time Israeli troops have raided medical facilities in Gaza. Al-Shifa, the largest hospital in the territory, has also been targeted in the past. The Israeli military accuses Hamas of using hospitals as command centers to plan and launch attacks against their forces. However, Hamas denies these allegations.
The situation in Gaza’s healthcare system is already dire. According to the United Nations, there is currently only one hospital in northern Gaza capable of admitting patients. Out of the 36 hospitals in the territory, only 14 are functioning, providing limited healthcare while also sheltering thousands of displaced people, as reported by the World Health Organization.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a devastating number of casualties. The health ministry reports that over 18,600 Gazans have been killed and nearly 50,600 wounded since the war erupted more than two months ago. Israeli officials claim that around 1,200 people were killed in an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel on October 7, which triggered the blistering military response on Gaza. It is important to note that the majority of casualties in both Israel and Gaza have been civilians.
The international community must take immediate action to address the escalating violence and protect innocent lives. The targeting of hospitals and medical facilities is a grave violation of international humanitarian law. All parties involved must prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians, especially children who are the most vulnerable in times of conflict.
It is crucial for independent investigations to be conducted to determine the veracity of these allegations and hold those responsible for any violations accountable. The people of Gaza deserve access to proper healthcare without fear of being targeted or deprived of essential resources. Only through a peaceful resolution and respect for human rights can the cycle of violence be broken, and lasting peace achieved in the region.