Rafah, Gaza Strip (AP) – Recent reports from Palestinians who fled an Israeli raid on Gaza’s main hospital paint a grim picture of mass arrests and forced marches past bodies. The United Nations has also stated that Israel is now blocking its main agency from sending food aid to the devastated north of the enclave.
Israel’s military claims to have killed over 170 militants and detained around 480 suspects in the ongoing raid on Shifa Hospital. The operation, which began on Monday, aimed to deal a heavy blow to Hamas and other armed groups believed to have regrouped at the hospital as the war approaches its six-month mark.
Residents who witnessed the chaos described being huddled in fear as explosions shook buildings, before Israeli troops stormed in and forced them out. Men were reportedly stripped to their underwear, detained, or blindfolded and forced to march south amidst the sounds of explosions.
Despite Israeli claims that Hamas had set up a command center in Shifa Hospital, only one tunnel leading to a few underground rooms was found. This has led to a severe lack of aid reaching northern Gaza and Gaza City, where Shifa is located, exacerbating a dire humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations has expressed outrage at Israel’s decision to block food convoys to northern Gaza, highlighting the imminent famine facing over 210,000 people in the area. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and the removal of obstacles to aid delivery.
The ongoing conflict has left thousands in dire conditions at Shifa Hospital, with reports of patients dying due to lack of food, water, and medical services. The World Health Organization has described the situation as “utterly inhumane,” urging immediate action to alleviate the suffering.
As the war rages on, civilian casualties continue to mount on both sides, with no end in sight. The conflict has also spilled over into neighboring Lebanon, where Hezbollah militants have engaged in clashes with Israeli forces.
Amidst this chaos, the international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and an end to the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. The need for humanitarian aid and a commitment to protecting civilian lives remains paramount as the war shows no signs of abating.
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