Patients and staff leave Gaza’s biggest hospital as dozens are killed at a crowded refugee camp

Patients, staff, and displaced people left Gaza’s Shifa Hospital due to the Israeli military’s search for a suspected Hamas command center allegedly located beneath the hospital building. This evacuation was prompted by concerns about safety and the presence of Israeli forces in and around the hospital.

The Israeli military claimed that the evacuation was voluntary, but some individuals described it as being carried out under pressure. Witnesses reported the presence of tanks and snipers during the evacuation, which contributed to a sense of panic and chaos.

The evacuation left behind a skeleton crew of medical personnel to care for patients who were too sick to move. This situation put additional strain on the already overwhelmed healthcare system in Gaza, as many hospitals were non-functional or partially operational due to fuel shortages and damage.

Dozens of people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a crowded U.N. shelter in the Jabaliya refugee camp, causing massive destruction and loss of life. Witnesses reported horrifying scenes with casualties, including women and children. The Israeli military stated that its aim was to target terrorists in the area but rarely comments on individual strikes.

The conflict has severely affected the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Critical infrastructure, such as power plants, telecommunications networks, and water treatment facilities, has been disrupted due to fuel shortages and damage. The population is facing food and water shortages, leading to an outbreak of disease, dehydration, and malnutrition. The situation is dire, and the UN has called for a humanitarian ceasefire to address the crisis.

The conflict had been ongoing for seven weeks at the time of this report. It was triggered by an attack by Hamas in southern Israel and had resulted in a high number of casualties and widespread destruction on both sides.

International organizations, including the United Nations, have expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for a ceasefire. There have been protests and demands for more significant efforts to rescue hostages held by Hamas. The conflict has raised international tensions and garnered attention worldwide.