Israeli tanks surround Gaza hospital amid reported bombardment

Surrounded and in need of assistance

Israeli tanks have surrounded a Gaza hospital, heightening fears that the military campaign is endangering the lives of patients and medical staff. The director of Al Nasr hospital and Al Rantisi Pediatric hospital, Mustafa al-Kahlout, has called on the Red Cross for evacuation assistance. The hospital complex is close to Sheikh Radwan neighborhood and Al Shati camp, where ground fighting has been reported.

Hospitals under bombardment

Strikes have been reported near several hospitals in northern Gaza, including al-Shifa hospital, the largest medical facility in the territory. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that al-Shifa hospital is “coming under bombardment.” The Israeli military claims that a misfired projectile launched from inside Gaza was responsible for the strike on the hospital.

Concerns for staff and patients

Doctors Without Borders has expressed extreme concern for the safety of staff and patients at Al-Shifa Hospital. The humanitarian group has lost contact with its staff inside the hospital and reports a catastrophic situation. The Palestine Red Crescent Society has warned that the imminent shutdown of Al-Quds Hospital could lead to the death of patients, including babies.

Dire humanitarian situation

The offensive has caused the majority of hospitals in Gaza to stop functioning. 18 out of 35 hospitals are no longer operational, and 71% of all primary-care facilities have shut down. The remaining hospitals are limited in what they can provide and are gradually closing down. The impact on healthcare facilities has raised concerns about the dire humanitarian situation for those remaining in northern Gaza.

International condemnation

Human rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes through its mass bombardment of civilian areas and the blockade of Gaza. The United Nations human rights official has raised doubts over the establishment of “safe zones” in Gaza, stating that nowhere within the territory is safe for civilians. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned the civilian toll of the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Updated developments

This story has been updated with additional developments. The death toll in Gaza is estimated to be around 1,200, but it is not a final number as some bodies are yet to be identified. The offensive by the Israeli military continues to intensify in northern Gaza, with a focus on ground operations and aerial bombardment. The exact numbers of casualties and injuries are difficult to verify independently.

Read More of this Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-11-11 07:49:00

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