Conflict in Gaza: Palestinian Evacuation from Hospitals Amidst Ongoing Clashes

The escalating conflict in Gaza has led to thousands of Palestinians being displaced from hospitals, including Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza. Critical patients, newborns, and medical staff are left stranded with limited supplies and no electricity. This dire situation was confirmed on Monday by health officials.

Israeli forces have advised Palestinians to move south via designated ‘safe corridors’, attempting to isolate civilians from Hamas militants. Despite this, over two-thirds of Gaza’s 2.3 million population have been displaced from their homes.

Over the weekend, a large number of individuals evacuated Gaza’s Shifa Hospital as Israeli forces surrounded the area. However, numerous patients and displaced persons remain. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, stated that Shifa Hospital is no longer operational. Another hospital in Gaza City also faces evacuation due to a lack of fuel.

The six-week conflict, initiated by a surprise attack from Hamas on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli response, has led to significant destruction and loss of life in Gaza.

The Situation at Shifa Hospital

Shifa Hospital, representing the civilian suffering in Gaza, has witnessed staff performing surgeries under severe supply shortages, even without anesthesia. Until recently, tens of thousands sought refuge in the hospital complex, considering it a safe haven.

Israel, however, claims that Hamas uses civilians as shields, with Shifa Hospital being a primary example. According to Israeli officials, Hamas has a command center within the hospital compound. Israel has released various materials, including maps and diagrams, claiming to show Hamas installations around Shifa, but hasn’t provided conclusive evidence.

Israeli officials have also released photos and videos purportedly showing militant activities near other hospitals and in civilian areas, including footage of militants firing from a building and positioning weapons near civilian infrastructures.

The staff at Shifa Hospital and Hamas both deny these allegations from Israel.

The Crisis at Al-Quds Hospital

Following the power outage at Shifa, which affected incubators, the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza released a distressing image of premature infants bundled together for warmth. The Ministry’s spokesperson, Medhat Abbas, highlighted the critical situation, stating that without proper temperature control, the infants’ lives are at imminent risk.

Al-Quds Hospital, another major facility, ran out of fuel and ceased operations on Sunday. Plans are underway to evacuate approximately 6,000 individuals, including patients and medical staff, from the hospital.

Despite the Israeli military providing fuel nearby, access issues and disagreements over the method of fuel delivery have exacerbated the crisis. The U.S. has advocated for temporary ceasefires to facilitate aid distribution, but Israel has limited this to specific time windows for civilian evacuation.

The Humanitarian Crisis

More than 11,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and minors, have died since the conflict’s onset, with about 2,700 reported missing. On the Israeli side, around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, have died, including in the initial Hamas attack. Palestinian militants reportedly hold nearly 240 hostages, and the Israeli military has confirmed the death of 44 soldiers in ground operations.

Approximately 250,000 Israelis have also evacuated from areas near Gaza and the northern border due to ongoing rocket attacks and exchanges of fire with Hezbollah.

The story, reported by Magdy from Cairo with contributions from other journalists, emphasizes the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. The full coverage can be found on the Big Big News website.

[This article has been paraphrased and expanded for clarity and completeness.]

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