Al-Shifa hospital, the epicenter of the heaviest fighting in north Gaza, is grappling with a rising death toll, reaching 34 since the weekend, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Among the casualties are 27 adult intensive care patients and seven infants, shedding light on the dire consequences of fuel shortages plaguing the medical facility.
Allegations and Contradictions Surround Hospital’s Role
Amidst the chaos, conflicting narratives emerge, as Israel accuses Hamas of using the hospital complex for military purposes, while UN agencies and on-site doctors highlight the toll on civilians, including infants, due to the ongoing conflict.
International Pleas for Restraint as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
As the situation worsens, international leaders call for maximum restraint from Israel and condemn Hamas for allegedly using hospitals as shields. The World Health Organization warns of a dire humanitarian disaster, with thousands trapped inside Al-Shifa without adequate fuel, water, or food.
Israel’s military announces a “self-evacuation corridor” from Al-Shifa, allowing people to move southward. However, the area remains a scene of “intense battles,” raising concerns about the safety of evacuees. The Israeli army claims to have delivered 300 liters of fuel for urgent medical purposes, yet the director of Al-Shifa dismisses these claims, labeling them as “lies.”
