Israeli Forces Order Evacuation of Largest Hospital in Gaza Strip
In a distressing turn of events, Israeli forces have ordered thousands of displaced people to evacuate the largest hospital in the south of the Gaza Strip. The Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis has been under siege for around a week and is only minimally functional. Videos circulating online show an announcement via loudspeaker and a crowd leaving the hospital, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of patients and medical staff.
The Israeli military claims that it has opened a secure route for civilians, but has no intention of evacuating patients and medics. However, doctors and health officials report that a number of people have been killed by Israeli sniper fire in recent days. The hospital has become a battleground between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters, with intense hostilities also reported around the nearby Al-Amal hospital.
The Israeli military has previously accused Hamas fighters of operating from inside and around the two hospitals, a claim that the armed group and medical officials vehemently deny. The focus of Israel’s invasion of the south of Gaza has been Khan Younis, which began in early December after troops gained control of Hamas strongholds in the north. The military campaign was launched in response to Hamas gunmen killing about 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7th and taking 253 others hostage.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 28,500 people have been killed in the territory since then, including at least 103 in the past 24 hours. The situation is dire, with hospitals overwhelmed by casualties and serving as shelters for thousands of displaced people. Only 11 out of Gaza’s 33 hospitals are partially functioning, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis.
The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed alarm at the situation, emphasizing the need to protect Nasser hospital, which is the backbone of the health system in southern Gaza. He called for humanitarian access to be allowed and for hospitals to be safeguarded so they can fulfill their life-saving function without being militarized or attacked.
The UN’s humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, warned that there is only 24 hours’ worth of food left in Rafah, where the majority of displaced people are now living. He also cautioned against an Israeli ground assault in Rafah, stating that it would make it impossible to run effective humanitarian operations or protect civilians.
In the midst of this crisis, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged Hamas to quickly reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza to prevent further catastrophic events. Negotiations are currently underway in Cairo to secure a new temporary ceasefire deal, including the release of more Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of casualties and the displacement of thousands of people. The international community must step up its efforts to protect civilians and ensure access to essential healthcare services. The lives of innocent people depend on it.