Israel Strikes Gaza Hospital, Killing Dozens, Red Crescent Society Says
The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that Israeli forces targeted a hospital it operates in southern Gaza on Thursday, resulting in multiple fatalities. This came just a day after another deadly Israeli attack at the same medical facility.
The health ministry in Gaza confirmed that nearly 24 people were killed after Israeli forces struck the entrance of the Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis. The Israeli military announced an expanded offensive in Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza.
Many of those killed were displaced people seeking shelter in and around the hospital, according to Nebal Farsakh, a spokeswoman for the Palestine Red Crescent Society. The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) estimated that around 14,000 displaced Palestinians were seeking shelter at Al-Amal. Medical centers have become places of refuge for those fleeing Israel’s aerial bombardment and ground offensive, despite being targeted themselves.
Al-Amal Hospital and its surroundings were struck five times in less than a week, according to Ms. Farsakh. The Palestine Red Crescent Society posted videos on social media showing the aftermath of an Israeli strike on the hospital. The videos depicted bodies in the streets and medics rushing injured people, including children, into ambulances.
The Gazan Health Ministry reported that dozens of people were killed in Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, including in Khan Younis. Shelling around Al-Amal Hospital has been described as “relentless” in recent days.
On Tuesday, the W.H.O. sent a team to visit Al-Amal Hospital and reported dire conditions for both patients and sheltering civilians. The influx of displaced people could lead to increased risk of infectious diseases and make it even harder to deliver humanitarian aid, said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the W.H.O.’s representative for the West Bank and Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza is rooted in decades of tension between Israelis and Palestinians over land disputes. It has been marked by recurring violence and is fueled by deep-seated political and religious divisions. The current escalation of violence has deepened the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The ongoing conflict remains a significant concern for the international community. Efforts to de-escalate tensions and bring about peace in the region are of paramount importance.
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